A randomized, 6-wk trial of a low FODMAP diet in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Vol. 67-68; p. 110542
• Main Authors: Bodini, Giorgia, Zanella, Claudia, Crespi, Mattia, Lo Pumo, Sara, Demarzo, Maria Giulia, Savarino, Edoardo, Savarino, Vincenzo, Giannini, Edoardo G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2019; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Body mass index; C-reactive protein; Calprotectin; Celiac disease; Crohns disease; Diet; Disaccharides; Disease activity; Endoscopy; Feces; Inflammatory bowel disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Intestine; Irritable bowel syndrome; Localization; Monosaccharides; Nutrient deficiency; Oligosaccharides; Patients; Polyols; Quality of life; Randomization; Remission; Safety; Inflammatory bowel disease; Calprotectin; Disease activity; C-reactive protein; Diet; Irritable bowel syndrome
• ISSN: 0899-9007; 1873-1244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2019.06.023

•A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) improves symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.•In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, we observed that a short-term, low FODMAP diet is safe.•Quality of life is also improved by a low FODMAP diet in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet (LFD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
An LFD is associated with symptom improvement in patients with functional intestinal disorders, although its safety and efficacy has not been characterized in patients with IBD. Fifty-five patients with IBD in remission or with mild disease activity were randomized to a 6-wk LFD or standard diet (SD). Disease activity (Harvey–Bradshaw index [HBi], partial Mayo score), fecal calprotectin, and disease-specific quality of life (IBD-Q) were assessed at baseline and at the end of dietary intervention.
After the 6-wk dietary intervention, median HBi decreased in the LFD (4; IQR, 3–5 versus 3; IQR, 2–3; P = 0.024) but not in the SD (3; IQR, 3–3 versus 3; IQR, 2–4), whereas Mayo scores were numerically decreased in the LFD group and unmodified in the SD group. Median calprotectin decreased in the LFD (76.6 mg/kg; IQR, 50–286.3 versus 50 mg/kg; IQR, 50.6–81; P = 0.004) but not in the SD group (91 mg/kg; IQR, 50.6–143.6 versus 87 mg/kg; IQR, 50–235.6). Lastly, we observed a barely significant increase in median IBD-Q in the LFD group (166; IQR, 139–182 versus 177; IQR, 155–188; P = 0.05) and no modification in the SD group (181; IQR, 153–197 versus 166; IQR, 153–200).
A short-term, LFD is safe for patients with IBD, and is associated with an amelioration of fecal inflammatory markers and quality of life even in patients with mainly quiescent disease.