A Low-FODMAP Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Some Answers to the Doubts from a Long-Term Follow-Up.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy, nutritional adequacy, and patient acceptability of a Low-FODMAP Diet (LFD) for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Results Summary
The LFD effectively controlled digestive symptoms and improved quality of life, anxiety, and depression in both short- and long-term use, though adherence decreased over time. Nutritional adequacy was maintained, but trigger food perception changed after reintroduction.
Population
73 IBS patients, with 41 evaluated in long-term follow-up (6-24 months).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Initial LFD for 2 months, followed by reintroduction phase, with long-term follow-up at 6-24 months.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) | decrease | digestive symptoms | IBS patients | - | was effective in controlling | #1 |
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) | increase | quality of life | IBS patients | - | improving | #2 |
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) | decrease | anxiety | IBS patients | - | improving | #3 |
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) | decrease | depression | IBS patients | - | improving | #4 |
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) | increase | food-related quality of life | IBS patients | - | improved | #5 |
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) | no change | nutritional adequacy | IBS patients | - | without affecting | #6 |
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) | decrease | adherence | IBS patients | - | decreased | #7 |
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) is a possible therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study investigates the short- and long-term efficacy and nutritional adequacy of an LFD and the patients' long-term acceptability. Patients' adherence and ability to perceive the "trigger" foods were also evaluated. Seventy-three IBS patients were given an LFD (T0) and after 2 months (T1), 68 started the reintroduction phase. At the end of this period (T2), 59 were advised to go on an Adapted Low-FODMAP Diet (AdLFD) and 41 were evaluated again after a 6-24 month follow-up (T3). At each time, questionnaires and Biolectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) were performed. The LFD was effective in controlling digestive symptoms both in the short- and long-term, and in improving quality of life, anxiety and depression, even if some problems regarding acceptability were reported and adherence decreased in the long term. The LFD improved the food-related quality of life without affecting nutritional adequacy. When data collected at T0 were compared with those collected at T2, the perception of trigger foods was quite different. Even if some problems of acceptability and adherence are reported, an LFD is nutritionally adequate and effective in improving IBS symptoms also in the long term.