Lynch Ellen, Mulligan Sophie, Doyle Suzanne L
School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, Dublin, D07 XT95, Ireland.
Ir J Med Sci. 2024 Dec;193(6):2753-2760. doi: 10.1007/s11845-024-03764-9. Epub 2024 Aug 1.
Bowel dysfunction can significantly impair quality of life. Adequate fibre intake is associated with good bowel health but intakes have been reported to be low in Ireland.
This study aimed to gather data on fibre intake and bowel habits in a cohort of adults at a university campus in Dublin, Ireland.
An online questionnaire was developed by adapting validated tools to assess habitual fibre intake and bowel function. The questionnaire was circulated through mailing lists and advertised via QR codes on campus in February/March 2023. Data was analysed using SPSS, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
In total, 275 valid responses were received. Low fibre intakes (< 19 g/day) were found in 50.5% of participants. A significantly higher proportion of males had low fibre intake compared to females (62.2% vs 44.8%, p = 0.039). Nearly a third (30.2%) of respondents experienced mild symptoms of bowel dysfunction, and 13.1% experienced moderate to severe symptoms. An inverse relationship was observed between fibre intake (g/day) and bowel dysfunction (p = 0.033).
In this cohort, low fibre intakes and some degree of bowel dysfunction were prevalent. Public health campaigns to increase fibre intake could prove to be a cost-effective way to improve bowel function and health amongst adults in Ireland.
肠道功能障碍会显著损害生活质量。充足的纤维摄入量与良好的肠道健康相关，但据报道爱尔兰人的纤维摄入量较低。
本研究旨在收集爱尔兰都柏林大学校园一群成年人的纤维摄入量和排便习惯数据。
通过改编经过验证的工具来开发一份在线问卷，以评估习惯性纤维摄入量和肠道功能。该问卷于2023年2月/3月通过邮件列表分发，并在校园内通过二维码进行宣传。使用SPSS分析数据，p < 0.05被认为具有统计学意义。
总共收到275份有效回复。50.5%的参与者纤维摄入量较低（<19克/天）。与女性相比，男性纤维摄入量低的比例显著更高（62.2%对44.8%，p = 0.039）。近三分之一（30.2%）的受访者有轻度肠道功能障碍症状，13.1%的人有中度至重度症状。观察到纤维摄入量（克/天）与肠道功能障碍之间存在负相关（p = 0.033）。
在这个队列中，低纤维摄入量和一定程度的肠道功能障碍很普遍。开展提高纤维摄入量的公共卫生运动可能是改善爱尔兰成年人肠道功能和健康的一种经济有效的方式。
