The low FODMAP diet for IBS; A multicentre UK study assessing long term follow up

• Published in: Digestive and liver disease Vol. 53; no. 11; pp. 1404 - 1411
• Main Authors: Rej, Anupam, Shaw, Christian C., Buckle, Rachel L., Trott, Nick, Agrawal, Anurag, Mosey, Karen, Sanders, Katie, Allen, Rupert, Martin, Sophie, Newton, Aimee, Robinson, Kelly, Elphick, David, Chey, William D., Aziz, Imran, Sanders, David S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted - adverse effects; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted - methods; Diet, Gluten-Free - adverse effects; Diet, Gluten-Free - methods; Dietary therapies; Energy Intake; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Irritable bowel syndrome; Irritable Bowel Syndrome - diet therapy; Low FODMAP diet; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Irritable bowel syndrome; Low FODMAP diet; Dietary therapies
• ISSN: 1590-8658; 1878-3562
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.05.004

The low FODMAP diet (LFD) is effective in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the short term. This study assessed the long-term effect of the LFD on symptoms, nutritional composition and socialising. Patients with IBS who received dietetic-led LFD advice were approached at long term follow up (>6 months post LFD advice) from six centres across the United Kingdom. Participants completed questionnaires assessing gastrointestinal symptoms, adherence, nutritional intake, dietary acceptability and food related quality of life (QOL). 205 participants completed the study, with a mean follow up of 44 months (3.7 years). Adequate symptom relief was noted in 60% of individuals at long term follow up, with 76% being on the personalisation phase of the LFD (pLFD). Mean nutritional intake did not differ between individuals on the pLFD versus habitual diet, with no difference in fructan intake (2.9 g/d vs 2.9 g/d, p = 0.96). The majority (80%) of individuals on the pLFD consumed specific ‘free-from’ products at the long term, with the purchase of gluten or wheat free products being the commonest (68%). The majority of patients follow the pLFD in the long term, with a large proportion purchasing gluten or wheat free products to manage their symptoms.