Efficacy of Low FODMAP Diet in Adult Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is a sapping functional gastrointestinal disorder that disturbs the lives of 5%-10% of otherwise healthy individuals leads to frequent dietary changes, generate more costs, and increase doctor visits. There are still no effective treatments however, the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) was introduced

Aim: Study the effect of low FODMAP-diet restriction phase in irritable bowel syndrome symptoms management

Patients and Methods: This was prospective observational study following a sample of consented patients visiting the Gastro-Intestinal and Liver diseases specialized outpatient clinics of Baghdad Teaching Hospital diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome according to Rome IV criteria. Participants were interviewed and their symptoms were checked pre and post diet. All data were kept anonymous. Categorical data were presented in numbers, and percentage, The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to compare any improvement in symptoms before and after application of diet. In all statistical associations, a P value less or equal 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: the average age of participants was 38.12 years, more than half of the sample were females (62%). The commonest irritable bowel syndrome type reported was constipation (46%), followed by mixed (28%). Abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence were the main three reported symptom’s; 49 (98%) each. All symptoms showed a significant improvement post-diet. Out of the 50 interviewed-participants, 37 (74%) had a total general improvement. No significant association was found between demographical variables on general improvement of IBS symptoms.

Conclusion and Recommendations: the study highlighted the implication of low-FODMAP restriction phase which successfully decreased the severity of all symptoms among a sample of IBS diagnosed patients. Further study might focus follow patients through the reintroduction and personalization phases of low-FODMAP diet.