A 12-Week Strict Low FODMAP Diet Reduces the Severity Levels of Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, and Inattention in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IF 3.8 Q2 NUTRITION & DIETETICS

Current Developments in Nutrition Pub Date : 2025-06-06 DOI:10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107483

Sol Maja G Bjørkevoll , Eline M Randulff Hillestad , Gülen A Lied , Erica S Teige , Elisabeth K Steinsvik , Birgitte Berentsen , Astri J Lundervold

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Abstract

Background

The low FODMAP diet (LFD) has been shown to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the impact of the LFD on coexisting symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression, and cognitive functions remains unclear.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the effects of a 12-wk strict LFD on symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and inattention in patients with moderate-to-severe IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant), and IBS-M (mixed diarrhea and constipation).

Methods

Participants with IBS were included in an open-label, single-center, 12-wk dietary intervention conducted at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway. They followed a strict LFD guided by a registered dietitian and completed questionnaires assessing fatigue [Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ-11)] and anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)] and performed a test of attention [the third edition of the Connors’ continuous performance test (CPT-3)] at baseline and 12-wk follow-up. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate changes from baseline to post intervention.

Results

Thirty-six participants completed the intervention. Statistically significant reductions were observed in symptoms of fatigue (CFQ-11, P < 0.013) and symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A, P < 0.006). Most of the patients were defined as noncases of fatigue and anxiety following the intervention. Performance on the CPT-3 revealed improvements in measures of inattention.

Conclusions

A 12-wk strict LFD intervention significantly alleviated coexisting symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and depression, and improved performance on a psychometric test of attention. These findings suggest that dietary management plays a crucial role in improving both physical and mental health in patients with IBS.

This study was registered at clinical trial as NCT04296552 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04296552?term=NCT04296552&rank=1).

查看原文本刊更多论文

12周严格的低FODMAP饮食减少肠易激综合征患者的疲劳、抑郁、焦虑和注意力不集中的严重程度

低FODMAP饮食（LFD）已被证明可以缓解肠易激综合征（IBS）患者的胃肠道症状。然而，LFD对并存的疲劳、焦虑、抑郁和认知功能的影响尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨12周严格LFD对中重度IBS-D（腹泻为主）和IBS-M（混合腹泻和便秘）患者疲劳、抑郁、焦虑和注意力不集中症状的影响。方法在挪威卑尔根的Haukeland大学医院，将IBS患者纳入一项开放标签、单中心、12周的饮食干预。他们在注册营养师的指导下遵循严格的LFD，并在基线和12周随访时完成疲劳评估问卷[Chalder疲劳量表（CFQ-11）]和焦虑和抑郁[医院焦虑和抑郁量表（HADS）]，并进行注意力测试[第三版康纳斯连续表现测试（CPT-3）]。使用Wilcoxon符号秩检验分析数据，以评估从基线到干预后的变化。结果36名参与者完成了干预。在疲劳症状方面观察到统计学上显著的减少(CFQ-11, P <；0.013)和焦虑症状(HADS-A, P <；0.006)。大多数患者在干预后被定义为没有疲劳和焦虑的病例。在CPT-3测试中的表现表明，注意力不集中的测试有所改善。结论经过12周的严格LFD干预后，患者的疲劳、焦虑和抑郁症状均得到明显缓解，注意力心理测试成绩得到改善。这些发现表明，饮食管理在改善肠易激综合征患者的身心健康方面起着至关重要的作用。本研究在临床试验中注册为NCT04296552 （https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04296552?term=NCT04296552&rank=1）。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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