Abstract
Studies on fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides as well as polyols (FODMAPs) intake in older adults are lacking. This study investigated the relationship between gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and FODMAPs in aged care residents. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Score questionnaire modified for patients with IBS (GSRS-IBS) was used to identify participants with IBS-like symptoms. Dietary intake was assessed for a subgroup of participants with highest total GSRS-IBS score (symptomatic cases) and age, sex, and level of care matched participants with low total GSRS-IBS score (asymptomatic controls). Seventy-four participants with a mean (SD) age of 86 (6.6) years completed the GSRS-IBS questionnaire and dietary data were collected using food diaries from a subsample of 27 symptomatic and 27 asymptomatic participants. The study found many older adults with functional gut symptoms. There were no differences between the groups for FODMAP intake and no significant relationship was found between FODMAP intake and total GSRS-IBS score. Lactose from milk and milk-based desserts was the biggest FODMAP contributor (16 g/day) and a significant relationship between total FODMAP intake and diarrhoea was found. A larger study sample in future studies is required to better capture symptomatic cases and manipulation of dietary FODMAPs may assist with the management of IBS in the elderly.
Highlights
Introduction15% of the total population [1]
Consistent with other developed countries, the New Zealand population is aging
One hundred and twenty-eight rest home (RH) and H residents aged over 65 years old were living at the facility
Summary
15% of the total population [1] This phenomenon is partly due to the rising life expectancy and results from many causes including advances in medical technology and sanitation, typical of a country that has undergone an “epidemiologic transition” [2]. In New Zealand, the life expectancy at birth has increased from 76.3 years (male) and 81.1 years (female) in 2001 to 79.5 and 83.2 years for males and females, respectively, in 2013 [3]. Such population growth has a huge impact on the cost of health as well as disability services, the demand for long-term care facilities [4].
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