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Case Report: Initial Successful Treatment of Migraine and Irritable Bowel Syndrome With a Low-FODMAP Diet.

Journal of the American Nutrition Association
May 5, 2024
Robert A Bonakdar et al. (5 authors)
Case ReportsJournal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a dietician-guided Low-FODMAP Diet (LFD) in treating refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS in a single patient.

Results Summary

The study found significant improvements in migraine frequency, pain intensity, and IBS symptom severity within 1 week of LFD initiation, with sustained benefits after 5 weeks. Disability scores (MIDAS, HIT-6, IBS Patient Global Impression of Change) improved from severe to minimal levels.

Population

A 57-year-old woman with chronic migraine and IBS.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

5 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low-FODMAP diet (LFD)
decrease
IBS symptoms
a patient with refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS
-
improved
#1
low-FODMAP diet (LFD)
decrease
migraines
a patient with refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS
-
improved
#2
low-FODMAP diet (LFD)
decrease
migraines
a patient with refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS
-
significant reduction
#3
low-FODMAP diet (LFD)
decrease
average pain
a patient with refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS
1/10
reported
#4
low-FODMAP diet (LFD)
decrease
IBS severity
a patient with refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS
3/10
reported
#5
low-FODMAP diet (LFD)
decrease
levels of disability
a patient with refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS
from severe to minimal
improved
#6
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be difficult-to-treat comorbidities that may be driven by underlying gut-brain axis dysfunction. This report describes utilization of a low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet (LFD) in a patient with refractory migraine and co-occurring IBS. METHODS: After unremarkable physical and neurological examinations, a 57-year-old woman with IBS and chronic migraine was started on a LFD under the guidance of a registered dietician. Psychometrically validated surveys administered at baseline and initial follow-up assessed patient-reported outcomes related to migraine and IBS symptoms. RESULTS: At baseline, the patient reported 80/90 migraine days with average pain of 8/10, a Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score of 33, and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) score of 64, the latter 2 scores indicating severe disability. Baseline IBS symptom severity was noted at 9/10. Within 1 week on a LFD, the patient's IBS symptoms and migraines improved in both frequency and intensity of episodes. After 5 weeks on a LFD elimination, the patient's clinical improvement continued and she reported significant reduction in migraines, with average pain of 1/10 and IBS severity of 3/10. The patient also improved from severe to minimal levels of disability on validated measures (MIDAS, HIT-6, and IBS Patient Global Impression of Change). CONCLUSION: This is the first case report detailing successful initial treatment of migraine and co-occurring IBS utilizing a dietician-guided LFD. There are a number of important reasons for potential improvement in these gut-brain axis disorders which are reviewed as well as an implication for long-term management and food reintroduction. Larger, randomized trials evaluating a LFD in diverse individuals with migraine and co-occurring IBS are warranted to help confirm these results.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansIrritable Bowel SyndromeFemaleMigraine DisordersMiddle AgedOligosaccharidesTreatment OutcomeMonosaccharidesDisaccharidesDiet, Carbohydrate-RestrictedFODMAP DietPolymers
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.20
Normalized Score0.66
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Case Report: Initial Successful Treatment of Migraine and Ir... | Panacea Index