ORCID
- Mary Hickson: 0000-0001-7996-0095
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that the low fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet improves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms when delivered by a dietitian. However, demand for dietetic appointments exceeds supply. Prerecorded webinars are acceptable and cost-effective for delivering first-line IBS dietary advice. Methodology: This study, using a pre–post design, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-FODMAP diet restriction phase webinar at improving IBS symptoms. Participants with self-reported IBS symptoms were asked to report their IBS symptoms, stool frequency, stool consistency and IBS medication use, before and 8 weeks postwebinar via an online questionnaire. The presence and severity of participants' symptoms and bowel habits were captured using validated tools and a global symptom question. Results: In total 228 participants responded to both pre- and postsurveys. A statistically significant improvement in all symptoms was observed 8 weeks postwebinar (p < 0.05). The proportion of participants rating their overall symptoms as moderate-to-severe reduced from 85.5% at baseline to 34.6% postwebinar (50.9% reduction [p < 0.001]). The proportion of participants reporting normal stool consistency and frequency significantly increased postwebinar (23.2%–39.9% [p < 0.001] and 76.3%–89% [p < 0.001], respectively). Satisfactory relief of symptoms increased from 16.7% to 53.1%, (p < 0.001) 8 weeks postwebinar. Conclusions: These results are comparable with literature on the efficacy of face-to-face delivery of low-FODMAP diet education. Dietitians should consider directing triaged patients with IBS, who have tried first-line dietary advice, to this webinar as an alternative or alongside current practice.
DOI Link
DOI
10.1111/jhn.13262
Publication Date
2024-04-01
Publication Title
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Volume
37
Issue
2
ISSN
0952-3871
Embargo Period
2024-10-31
Keywords
Humans, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Nutritionists, FODMAP Diet, Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted/methods, Treatment Outcome, Diet, Fermentation, irritable bowel syndrome, clinical practice, gastroenterology, nutrition education, dietetics, fibre
First Page
396
Last Page
407
Recommended Citation
Colgan, A., Digby, K., Apekey, T., Elborough-Whitehouse, I., Seamark, L., Radcliffe, O., Williams, M., & Hickson, M. (2024) 'A dietitian-led low-FODMAP diet webinar: a pre-post study evaluating its impact on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome', Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 37(2), pp. 396-407. Available at: 10.1111/jhn.13262
