The effect of starch- and sucrose-reduced diet accompanied by nutritional and culinary recommendations on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome patients with diarrhoea.

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition which entails a high burden in the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Nutritional interventions have been proposed to alleviate symptoms, since still no effective treatments exist for IBS.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim is to analyse the feasibility of the use of starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD).

DESIGN

In this study, we used a SSRD accompanied by nutritional and culinary recommendations to measure the effects in IBS patients with diarrhoea.

METHODS

In all, 34 participants completed a 4-week nutritional intervention based on SSRD. Symptoms, QoL and dietary habits were assessed by several questionnaires that were completed at the beginning, daily, after 2 weeks, at the end, and after 2 months.

RESULTS

85.29% of the participants reached the primary endpoint [reduction of 50 points or more in IBS-symptom severity scale (SSS)], and 58.82% the secondary endpoint (reduction of 50% or more in IBS-SSS). The relief of symptoms and improvement of the QoL were significant after 2 weeks of intervention, at the end and after 2 months. Dietary habits were consistent with the diet and high adherence was achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

SSRD and individualized nutritional and culinary guidance improved symptoms and QoL of IBS patients with diarrhoea, with a high adherence.