P114 - PERCEPTIONS OF ADULTS WITH CROHN’S DISEASE ABOUT DIET AND DIETETIC MANAGEMENT AFTER COMPLETING A 6-MONTH RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF DIETARY INTERVENTION: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

P114

PERCEPTIONS OF ADULTS WITH CROHN’S DISEASE ABOUT DIET AND DIETETIC MANAGEMENT AFTER COMPLETING A 6-MONTH RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF DIETARY INTERVENTION: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

G. Williams¹, N. Talley¹, E. Hoedt¹, S. Prasad¹, S. Keely¹, K. Duncanson^1,*

¹College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia

Rationale: Despite the recognised diet–disease relationship in Crohn’s disease (CD), studies report people with CD view dietetic input unfavourably. This study aimed to inform dietetic practice by exploring perceptions of dietetic care in CD and how this relates to clinical characteristics.

Methods: This mixed-methods study included a subset of Australian adults (n=10) with CD enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. Participants received monthly counselling from a dietitian, aligned with standard dietetic care or a prescriptive elimination diet. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of dietary management. Three researchers conducted thematic analysis and qualitatiave data was triangulated with survey data (pre- and post-intervention) assessing food-related quality of life (QoL), symptom-related QoL, and gastrointestinal symptom severity. Descriptive statistics were applied to survey data.

Results: Symptom severity and QoL scores improved in both groups from baseline, with no significant differences between groups. A trend was observed: those with worse baseline QoL and symptom burden reported greater value in dietetic input at 6 months. Four themes emerged: (1) Perceptions of diet in CD were shaped by input from gastroenterologists; (2) Participants valued personalised dietary advice; (3) Access to evidence-based information was highly regarded; (4) Pragmatic dietetic advice was empowering and supported positive humanistic outcomes. Perceived benefits of dietetic care did not differ by intervention group.

Conclusion: Adults with CD valued early, personalised, evidence-based dietetic support for symptom management. These findings suggest that holistic, empowering dietetic care should be prioritised in multidisciplinary CD management, particularly for those with high symptom burden and impaired QoL.

Disclosure of Interest: G. Williams: None declared, N. Talley: None declared, E. Hoedt: None declared, S. Prasad: None declared, S. Keely Consultant for: Microba Life Sciences, K. Duncanson: None declared