Publication
Treatment efficacy of a low FODMAP diet compared to a low lactose diet in IBS patients: A randomized, cross-over designed study
Journal Paper/Review - Oct 6, 2020
Krieger-Grübel Claudia, Hutter Senta, Hiestand Mirjam, Brenner Isabella, Güsewell Sabine, Borovicka Jan
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
A low FODMAP diet (LFD) has become a standard treatment in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Compliant adherence to a LFD is challenging. We investigated the effect of a LFD compared to a less restrictive low lactose diet (LLD) in a randomized cross-over trial with IBS patients.
METHODS
Twenty-nine IBS patients were randomly assigned to two groups. After a run-in phase of 14 days, patients received 21 days of either a LFD or LLD. This intervention was followed by a washout period of 21 days before crossing over to the alternate diet. Dietician led diet instruction was given continuously. An IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) was filled in at the end of each study period. To enhance study adherence, daily symptoms were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
RESULTS
IBS patients, irrespective of lactase deficiency, had a significantly reduced IBS-SSS score after both diets (LFD p = 0.002, LLD p = 0.007) without significant difference. On both diets, patients reported that IBS had less impact on their daily life compared to the time before the study (p < 0.01). On daily assessment, IBS patients on LFD reported significantly less abdominal pain (median VAS difference to baseline -0.8 (-2.8 to 2.7, p = 0.03) and less bloating (-0.5 (-4.1 to 3.4, p = 0.02) than patients on the LLD.
CONCLUSION
Both diets improved the overall IBS severity significantly and patients' preference of the two diets was similar. LFD but not LLD effectively reduced pain and bloating in patients with IBS.