Abstract
Evidence suggests that dietary interventions can improve symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although most data explore the short-term (immediate) impact. Data on long-term (>6months) impact are limited, especially from primary care settings. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of dietetic-led interventions for IBS delivered in primary care. A service evaluation of a dietetic-led IBS clinic was completed, analysing data on symptom severity, stool frequency and consistency, and healthcare input. Data were collected before and immediately after dietary intervention as part of patients' routine clinical appointments. Long-term data were collected via a postal questionnaire at least 11months later. In total, 211 patients responded to the long-term follow-up questionnaire at a median of 13months (interquartile range 12-16months) post follow-up appointment. Of these, 84% had been advised to follow a low FODMAP (i.e., fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols carbohydrates) diet. All symptoms were reported significantly less frequently short term, and all except heartburn and acid regurgitation remained so over the long term. The four most commonly reported bowel symptoms reduced in frequency were abdominal pain (62%), bloating (50%), increased wind (48%) and urgency to open bowels (49%) (p<0.001). The percentage of patients reporting satisfactory relief of gut symptoms was 10% at baseline and 55% at long-term follow-up (p<0.001). Visits to a general practitioner were reduced (from 96% to 34%; p<0.001), as were those to the gastroenterologist (from 37% to 12%; p=0.002), during the year prior to long-term follow-up compared to the year prior to dietary intervention. Patients with IBS who received dietetic-led interventions in primary care reported long-term symptoms improvements that may result in reduced healthcare usage.
Highlights
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder with estimated global prevalence of 4-9% [1]
211 patients responded to the long-term follow-up questionnaire at 13 months post follow-up appointment. 84% had been advised to follow the low FODMAP diet
(96% vs 34% p
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder with estimated global prevalence of 4-9% [1]. It has a significant impact on healthcare utilisation with up to 50% of IBS patients seeking medical advice, with the majority of these (90%) visiting their. Evidence suggests dietary interventions can improve symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but most data explores short-term (immediate) impact; data on long-term (>6 months) impact are limited, especially from primary care settings. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of dietetic-led interventions for IBS delivered in primary care
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