Is a low FODMAP diet beneficial for patients with inflammatory bowel disease? A meta-analysis and systematic review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the current evidence regarding the benefit of a low-FODMAP diet in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Results Summary
The study found significant improvements in diarrhea response, satisfaction with gut symptoms, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea in patients with quiescent IBD on a low-FODMAP diet, though no improvement was observed for constipation response.
Population
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 96% of whom were in remission.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | decrease | diarrhea response | patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11-0.52, p = 0.0003 | significant improvement | #1 |
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | increase | satisfaction with gut symptoms | patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | OR: 26.84, 95% CI: 4.6-156.54, p < 0.00001 | significant improvement | #2 |
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | decrease | abdominal bloating | patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.06-0.16, p < 0.00001 | significant improvement | #3 |
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | decrease | abdominal pain | patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.16-0.35, p < 0.00001 | significant improvement | #4 |
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | decrease | fatigue | patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24-0.66, p = 0.0003 | significant improvement | #5 |
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | decrease | nausea | patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.31-0.85, p = 0.009 | significant improvement | #6 |
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | no change | constipation response | patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | - | no significant improvement | #7 |
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet | decrease | gastrointestinal symptoms | patients with quiescent IBD | - | beneficial for reducing | #8 |
BACKGROUND & AIMS: To assess the current evidence regarding the benefit of a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol (FODMAP) diet in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Medline were comprehensively searched for relevant studies through January 2017. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to analyze the dichotomous variables (diarrhea response, abdominal pain and bloating, etc.) and the continuous variables. Random- and fixed-effects models were chosen according to heterogeneity. RESULTS: Two RCTs and four before-after studies with a total of 319 patients (96% in remission) were identified. Except for the constipation response, there was a significant improvement in other symptoms: diarrhea response (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11-0.52, p = 0.0003), satisfaction with gut symptoms (OR: 26.84, 95% CI: 4.6-156.54, p < 0.00001), abdominal bloating (OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.06-0.16, p < 0.00001), abdominal pain (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.16-0.35, p < 0.00001), fatigue (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24-0.66, p = 0.0003) and nausea (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.31-0.85, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis offers proof to support that a low FODMAP diet is beneficial for reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with quiescent IBD. With the inherent limitations, the findings of this analysis remain to be confirmed and updated by further high-volume, well-designed and long-term follow-up studies.