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Group education on the low FODMAP diet improves gastrointestinal symptoms but neither anxiety or depression in irritable bowel syndrome.

Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association
June 1, 2022
Michele Mun Hei Chan et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleObservational StudyHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the symptom-related outcomes of the low-FODMAP diet following group education and assess its effect on psychological profiles in IBS patients.

Results Summary

The study found that 54% of IBS patients reported clinically relevant symptom improvement after FODMAP restriction, but no significant changes were observed in clinical anxiety, depression, or risk of eating disorders.

Population

55 IBS patients in a tertiary care setting.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet
decrease
IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS)
IBS patients
reduction in the IBS-SSS ≥50 points
clinically relevant symptom improvement
#1
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet
no change
clinical anxiety
IBS patients
p = 1.000
no differences were recorded
#2
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet
no change
clinical depression
IBS patients
p = 0.375
no differences were recorded
#3
low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet
no change
risk of an eating disorder
IBS patients
-
no increased risk
#4
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet is an effective dietitian-led treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). An increasing demand of IBS patient referrals has warranted group FODMAP education led by specialist dietitians. Psychological co-morbidities are common in IBS, although how the low FODMAP diet influences psychological outcomes is not understood. The present study aimed to evaluate symptom related outcomes of the diet following group education and assess its effect on psychological profiles. METHODS: An observational, prospective study was conducted in 55 IBS patients who attended FODMAP Restriction and FODMAP Reintroduction group sessions. Data were collected at baseline and follow-up after FODMAP Restriction and analysed using descriptive and McNemar's tests. Primary outcome was evaluated by IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS). Secondary psychological outcomes included anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and risk of eating disorder questionnaire (SCOFF). RESULTS: After FODMAP Restriction, 27 of 55 (54%) patients reported clinically relevant symptom improvement, as defined by a reduction in the IBS-SSS ≥50 points, whereas no differences were recorded in the proportion of patients identified with clinical anxiety (p = 1.000) or clinical depression (p = 0.375). Positively, no increased risk of an eating disorder was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides data supporting the efficacy of the low FODMAP diet in IBS patients who attended dietitian led group education settings in tertiary care. Clinically significant improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms were observed, although with no impact on clinical levels of anxiety, depression or the risk of an eating disorder.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnxietyDepressionDietDiet, Carbohydrate-RestrictedDisaccharidesFermentationHumansIrritable Bowel SyndromeMonosaccharidesOligosaccharidesProspective Studies
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations17
Citations/Year5.7
Relative Citation Ratio3.22
NIH Percentile86.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.53
Normalized Score0.78
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