Group education by dietitians in patients with gastrointestinal disorders: Potentially clinically effective and time for randomised trials

Exploring Dietitians' Perspectives Toward Current Practices and Services in Relation to Irritable Bowel Syndrome Management in Clinical Settings Across the United Kingdom: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and relapsing gastrointestinal condition that negatively impacts quality of life. Dietary triggers are common and dietary management is central to the IBS treatment pathway, and dietitians are the main education providers for patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore dietitians' perspectives on current practices and services in relation to IBS management in clinical settings across the United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken from May to October 2021 via videoconferencing software. Eligible participants were dietitians specializing in gastroenterology and working in National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in the United Kingdom. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed following intelligent transcription. Template analysis guided by naïve realism and its underlying epistemological assumptions was used.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

Dietitians (N = 13) working in various NHS Trusts across the United Kingdom with at least 1 year of clinical experience in IBS management were included.

QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

Template analysis, a form of thematic analysis with hierarchical coding, was used to explore dietitians' perspectives of IBS practices.

RESULTS

Participating dietitians were mostly female (92.3%), of White race (84.6%), working in various NHS Trusts across the United Kingdom, and had more than 5 years of clinical experience (69.2%). The following 3 main themes emerged: 1) dietetics services as part of IBS referral pathways; 2) practices in relation to dietetics services; and 3) patients' expectations and feelings. Each main theme had subthemes to facilitate the description and interpretation of data. The increasing number of IBS referrals to dietitians and the need for accurate and timely IBS diagnosis and specialist dietitians were reported, along with the use of digital innovation to facilitate practice and access to dietetic care. The use of internet as a source of (mis)information by patients and the limited time available for educating patients were identified as potential barriers to dietetic practice. Dietitians follow a patient-centered approach to dietary counseling and recognize the negative implications of perceived IBS-related stigma by patients on their feelings and treatment expectations.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified areas and practices that can facilitate access to dietetic services and patient-centered care in IBS management, as outlined in UK-based guidelines.

The Development, Delivery, Content, and Impact of Nutrition Education in Prisons: A Systematic Review

People in prison are at an increased risk of long-term conditions that have been associated with poor nutrition intake, low levels of physical activity, and obesity. We aim to identify the necessary components of nutrition education to impact the health and health behaviors of people in prison. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines informed the structure of this article. Our protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022353925). Electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published in the English language from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2023. Data were extracted and narrative synthesis completed. The search identified 394 studies, of which 10 studies included nutrition education delivered to and with people in prison. In most cases, nutrition was one element of a complex intervention, with the inclusion of physical activity and/or a focus on health. The outcomes measured varied considerably across studies; therefore, our narrative synthesis explored the (1) development and delivery, (2) content, and (3) impact of nutrition education delivered for people in prison. There remains a need for nutrition education for people in prison, developed through coproduction, that encompasses their individual needs, with quantifiable outcome measures through validated tools and/or physiological measures.

Comparison of 4-week versus 8-week dietitian-led FODMAP diet group education sessions in tertiary care clinical practice for irritable bowel syndrome: A service evaluation

BACKGROUND

The implementation of the fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be effectively delivered by dietitians in group settings. The initial FODMAP restriction phase is recommended to be followed for 4 weeks; however, limited efficacy data exist for 4-week FODMAP restriction in group education clinical practice.

METHODS

We aimed to compare 4-week versus 8-week FODMAP group treatment pathways on clinical outcomes using a prospective service evaluation design of IBS patients attending FODMAP restriction (baseline) and reintroduction (follow-up) group sessions (between 2015 and 2019). Clinical outcomes included global symptom question (GSQ) measuring satisfactory relief, gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), stool frequency (SF), stool consistency using Bristol stool form scale (BSFS), diet acceptability, patient satisfaction with group sessions and dietary adherence. Logistic regression was used to test for differences in treatment effects when clinical outcomes were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 284) included were aged 18 to 86 years (mean ± SD [standard deviation], 44.6 ± 15.5), 80% female, and were split into 4-week (41%, 117/284) versus 8-week (59%, 167/284) pathways with no differences in baseline characteristics. Mean ± SD time gap between baseline and follow-up was 4.6 ± 0.9 weeks in the 4-week pathway and 9.6 ± 3.3 weeks in the 8-week pathway. When groups were compared at follow-up, no statistical differences were observed in any measures (GSQ, GSRS, SF, BSFS, dietary adherence, diet acceptability and patient satisfaction).

CONCLUSION

A 4-week dietitian-led group FODMAP treatment pathway is as clinically effective and maintains patient acceptability when compared to 8-weeks and should be considered as part of routine clinical practice.

Dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome: considerations, challenges, and solutions

Diet is a cornerstone in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There is evidence of efficacy across the spectrum of dietary management strategies, including some supplements (eg, specific fibres), foods, and whole diets (eg, a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols [known as the low-FODMAP diet]). Whole-diet interventions, in particular those that restrict intake, can be challenging to deliver effectively and safely. Factors to consider include patient demographics, food cost and availability, and the acceptability of dietary management and its impact on food-related quality of life. There is concern regarding a potential role of restrictive whole-diet interventions in eating disorder risk. Optimal approaches to delivering dietary management in the health-care setting are unclear. The aim of this Review is to summarise the clinical evidence for the dietary management of IBS; to discuss the challenges, burdens, and risks of dietary management; and to propose how these challenges, burdens, and risks should be mitigated and minimised in clinical practice.

Optimizing educational methods for the low FODMAP diet in disorders of gut-brain interaction: A feasibility randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

A diet low in fermentable oligo-saccharides, di-saccharides, mono-saccharides and polyols (low FODMAP diet) is complex and clinical effectiveness is achieved with dietitian-led education, although dietitian availability in clinical practice varies. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of undertaking a trial to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of different education delivery methods of the low FODMAP diet in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI).

METHODS

In this feasibility randomized controlled trial, patients with DGBI requiring the low FODMAP diet were randomized to receive one of the following education delivery methods: booklet, app, or dietitian. Recruitment and retention rates, acceptability, symptoms, stool output, quality of life, and dietary intake were assessed.

KEY RESULTS

Fifty-one patients were randomized with a recruitment rate of 2.4 patients/month and retention of 48 of 51 (94%). Nobody in the booklet group strongly agreed that this education delivery method enabled them to self-manage symptoms without further support, compared to 7 of 14 (50%) in the dietitian group (p = 0.013). More patients reported adequate relief of symptoms in the dietitian group (12, 80%) compared with the booklet group (7, 39%; p = 0.026), but not when compared to the app group (10, 63%, p > 0.05). There was a greater decrease in the IBS-SSS score in the dietitian group (mean -153, SD 90) compared with the booklet group (mean -90, SD 56; p = 0.043), but not when compared with the app group (mean -120, SD 62; p = 0.595).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Booklets were the least acceptable education delivery methods. Dietitian-led consultations led to high levels of clinical effectiveness, followed by the app, while the dietitian was superior to booklets alone. However, an adequately powered clinical trial is needed to confirm clinical effectiveness of these education delivery methods.

Gut Symptoms during FODMAP Restriction and Symptom Response to Food Challenges during FODMAP Reintroduction: A Real-World Evaluation in 21,462 Participants Using a Mobile Application

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence regarding the use of low FODMAP diet apps. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an app intended to reduce symptoms in FODMAP restriction and symptoms and tolerance of high FODMAP food challenges during FODMAP reintroduction and personalisation.

METHODS

Data were collected from 21,462 users of a low FODMAP diet app. Self-reported gut symptoms during FODMAP restriction, reintroduction, and personalisation and dietary triggers were identified from symptom response data for FODMAP food challenges.

RESULTS

Compared with baseline, at the end of FODMAP restriction, participants (n = 20,553) reported significantly less overall symptoms (11,689 (57%) versus 9105 (44%)), abdominal pain (8196 (40%) versus 6822 (33%)), bloating (11,265 (55%) versus 9146 (44%)), flatulence (10,318 (50%) 8272 (40%)), and diarrhoea (6284 (31%) versus 4961 (24%)) and significantly more constipation (5448 (27%) versus 5923 (29%)) (p < 0.001 for all). During FODMAP reintroduction, participants (n = 2053) completed 8760 food challenges; the five most frequent challenges and n/N (%) of dietary triggers identified were wheat bread 474/1146 (41%), onion 359/918 (39%), garlic 245/699 (35%), milk 274/687 (40%), and wheat pasta 222/548 (41%). The most frequently reported symptoms during food challenges were overall symptoms, abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence.

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-world setting, a low FODMAP diet app can help users improve gut symptoms and detect dietary triggers for long-term self-management.

Low FODMAP diet in irritable bowel syndrome: a review of recent clinical trials and meta-analyses

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyol (FODMAP) diet is widely used in the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this review is to summarize recent evidence regarding the use of the low FODMAP diet in IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders from recent clinical trials and meta-analyses.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses support the use of low FODMAP restriction for global symptoms in IBS in the short term. Uncontrolled follow-up studies show that at least 50% of individuals experience symptom relief following restriction, reintroduction and personalization in the long term. Although evidence from comparative trials in IBS suggests potential benefit of less burdensome approaches (e.g. standard IBS diet and low lactose diet) many studies are insufficiently powered. One established mechanism is colonic gas production that may induce pain signalling measurable in the brain, however altered gastrointestinal epithelial integrity and shifts in microbiome composition and function may also be involved.

SUMMARY

Quality trials of the low FODMAP diet are emerging and have been transformational in supporting the widespread application to IBS management in some areas (e.g. short-term effectiveness), whereas other areas still require considerable improvements in research evidence (e.g. long-term effectiveness, mechanisms and educational delivery).