P245 - GUT SYMPTOMS AND DIETARY QUALITY OF WOMEN ATTENDING AN IRISH ENDOMETRIOSIS SERVICE

P245

GUT SYMPTOMS AND DIETARY QUALITY OF WOMEN ATTENDING AN IRISH ENDOMETRIOSIS SERVICE

S. Gill¹, S. Feehan^1,*

¹Nutrition and Dietetics, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Rationale: Endometriosis is an oestrogen dependent, chronic inflammatory condition affecting 1 in 10 women. Digestive symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and altered bowel habit are common. Despite some research that dietary strategies can reduce symptoms, the evidence is limited and there has been little support offered to patients wishing to make changes to their diet. Patients often turn to the internet and alternative practitioners for dietary information where restrictive dietary practices are common.¹ This study set out to identify patient’s dietetic needs, particularly in relation to gut symptoms and usual dietary habits.

Methods: An online survey was developed and the link was sent to patients attending the endometriosis service in Tallaght University Hospital to complete anonymously

Results: 106 patients completed the survey. 74% reported dissatisfaction with their bowel symptoms. The most common symptoms were bloating, abdominal pain and incomplete bowel emptying. 40% of patients report being on some form of restricted diet with 71% having tried a restricted diet in the past. However only 11% had previously seen a dietitian. 68% had a low Dietary Quality Score² with only 26% meeting the recommendations for fruit and vegetables, 40% for dairy and 44% of patients consumed more than one ‘top shelf’ food daily.

Conclusion: Gut symptoms and dietary restrictions are very common in women with endometriosis but dietetic input is not. Despite a demonstrated interest in making dietary changes the majority of women had poor dietary quality.

References: 1 Kumar et al., (2023). Nutritional practices and dietetic provision in the endometriosis population, with a focus on functional gut symptoms. J Hum Nutr Diet

2 Cleghorn et al., (2016). Can a dietary quality score derived from a short-form FFQ assess dietary quality in UK adult population surveys? Pub Health Nutr

Disclosure of Interest: None declared