PW27 - COMPARATIVE IMPACT OF LOW FODMAP DIET EDUCATION AND STANDARD DIETARY ADVICE ON IBS SYMPTOMS

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C o m p a r a t i ve I m p a c t o f L o w F O D M A P D i e t E d u c a t i o n a n d S t a n d a r d D i e t a r y A d v i c e o n I B S S y m p t o m s

PW27

"COMPARATIVE IMPACT OF LOW FODMAP DIET EDUCATION AND STANDARD DIETARY ADVICE ON IBS SYMPTOMS"

M. Doğan1,*, N. Saleki̇1

1Nutrition and Dietetics, İstanbul Medipol Univeristy, İstanbul, Türkiye

 

Rationale: This study investigates whether structured education on the low FODMAP diet is more effective than brief advice on commonly recommended diets in reducing IBS symptoms. Identifying the most effective dietary approach is important for improving symptom management and quality of life in individuals with IBS.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 66 individuals (52 females, 14 males), aged 18–70, diagnosed with IBS based on standard clinical criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups (n=22 each): a control group, a low FODMAP diet education group, and a traditional diet advice group. The intervention groups attended three individual dietary counseling sessions over four weeks, spaced two weeks apart. The control group received no dietary intervention and was only evaluated at baseline and week four. At each visit, data on demographics and dietary habits were collected. Validated tools used to assess outcomes included: the IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS), the IBS Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QoL), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Body weight and 24-hour dietary intake records were also obtained. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate tests based on data distribution. Within-group and between-group comparisons assessed changes over time, with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: At the end of the four-week intervention, both dietary intervention groups showed significant reductions in IBS-SSS scores compared to baseline (p<0.05), with the low FODMAP group showing a significantly greater reduction than the others (p<0.05). IBS-QoL scores increased significantly in both diet groups (p<0.05), though the FODMAP group’s improvement was not statistically greater than the traditional group (p>0.05).A higher proportion of participants in the FODMAP group reported type 4 stools on the Bristol Scale, indicating normalized bowel habits. No significant changes were observed in the control group in any outcomes. Body weight remained stable across all groups.

 

Conclusion: The results suggest that structured low FODMAP diet education is more effective than brief traditional dietary advice in reducing IBS symptoms and normalizing bowel habits. Although both diets improved quality of life, the FODMAP diet showed superior symptom control. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm and expand upon these findings.

References: Halmos EP, Power VA, Shepherd SJ, Gibson PR, Muir JG. A diet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2014 Jan;146(1):67-75.e5.

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  2. Böhn L, Störsrud S, Törnblom H, Bengtsson U, Simrén M. Self-reported food-related gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS are common and associated with more severe symptoms and reduced quality of life. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013 May;108(5):634-41.
  3. Eswaran S, Muir J, Chey WD. Fiber and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013 May;108(5):718-27.
  4. Staudacher HM, Lomer MC, Anderson JL, Barrett JS, Muir JG, Irving PM, Whelan K. Fermentable carbohydrate restriction reduces luminal bifidobacteria and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. J Nutr. 2012 Jul;142(7):1510-8.
  5. Barrett JS, Gearry RB, Muir JG, Irving PM, Rose R, Rosella O, Gibson PR. Dietary poorly absorbed, short-chain carbohydrates increase delivery of water and fermentable substrates to the proximal colon. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Jun;31(8):874-82.
  6. Gibson PR, Shepherd SJ. Evidence-based dietary management of functional gastrointestinal symptoms: The FODMAP approach. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Feb;25(2):252-8.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared