FODMAP meal challenge test: a novel investigation to predict response to low-FODMAP diet in non-constipating irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Though a low-FODMAP diet improves 50% irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, regional dietary variations, vegetarianism, and long-term nutritional consequences challenge its implementation. We aimed developing a FODMAP meal challenge test (FMCT). We prospectively studied whether (i) high- than low-FODMAP foods produce more breath H2 among IBS patients than controls; (ii) post-meal symptoms relate to breath H2 ; and (iii) novel FMCT predicts response to a low-FODMAP diet?

METHODS

Forty Rome III IBS and 20 healthy controls underwent an eight-hour H2 breath test following a low- (rice, brinjal, corn, and banana [450 Kcal]) and a high-FODMAP meal (wheat, kidney bean, pulse, and card [450 Kcal]). Breath H2 (every 15 min) and symptoms following low- and high-FODMAP meals were recorded. IBS-symptom severity scores were recorded every month for 3-months on low-FODMAP diet.

RESULTS

Forty Rome III IBS (19 Rome IV positive) were comparable to 20 controls in age and gender. IBS patients (n = 39 excluding one H2 non-producer) and controls produced more breath H2 after high- (greater in IBS) than low-FODMAP meal. Post-meal symptoms were commoner in IBS (4/40 [10%] and 27/40 [67.5%] with low- and high-FODMAP, respectively [P < 0.00001]; none in healthy). IBS patients developing post-high-FODMAP meal symptoms produced greater H2 (18 PPM [IQR 10.5-23] vs 6 [0-7.2]; P < 0.001). A positive FMCT (breath H2  > 10 PPM above basal with symptoms following high-FODMAP food) had sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of 78.6%, 66.6%, and 75.6%, respectively, to predict low-FODMAP diet response.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel FMCT predicts response to a low-FODMAP diet in IBS.

Indian consensus statements on irritable bowel syndrome in adults: A guideline by the Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and jointly supported by the Indian Society of Gastroenterology

The Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (INMA), earlier named the Indian Motility and Functional Diseases Association developed this evidence-based practice guidelines for the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A modified Delphi process was used to develop this consensus containing 28 statements, which were concerning diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, etiopathogenesis and comorbidities, investigations, lifestyle modifications and treatments. Owing to the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, lockdowns and mobility restrictions, web-based meetings and electronic voting were the major tools used to develop this consensus. A statement was regarded as accepted when the sum of "completely accepted" and "accepted with minor reservation" voted responses were 80% or higher. Finally, the consensus was achieved on all 28 statements. The consensus team members are of the view that this work may find use in teaching, patient care, and research on IBS in India and other nations.

The challenges of implementing low fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyol diet in India: An analysis of available data

BACKGROUND

Low fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet is used in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, data on the utility and challenges of implementing such a diet in India are scanty. Since dietary practices in India are different from other Asian and Western countries, the existing Indian data were analyzed.

METHODS

This study attempted to analyze the existing Indian data on the frequency of vegetarianism, cereal (wheat vs. rice), milk/milk product consumption, and lactose malabsorption (LM). A 5-point scale (quiet easy, easy, moderately easy, not easy, difficult) for implementation of low FODMAP diet for IBS patients was proposed based on regional dietary diversity and LM in India.

RESULTS

Our analysis showed that vegetarianism is high in India with regional differences in frequency. Similarly, there is regional variation in frequency of LM though it is quite high in most parts of India where data are available. While southern, eastern, and north-eastern [corrected] parts of the country have rice as the staple cereal, wheat is consumed more in other parts. We suggest that implementing a low FODMAP diet in north-eastern India may be most easy compared to northern India, where it may be most difficult. Implementing a low FODMAP diet in southern and eastern India may be easy, moderately easy in western India, and not easy in central India.

CONCLUSIONS

The variation in the difficulty in implementing a low FODMAP diet in India may stem from the regional food preference and differences in vegetarianism, as well as frequency of LM.

Extracellular enzyme production in Metarhizium anisopliae isolates

Extracellular enzymes produced by Metarhizium anisopliae are believed to play a key role in cuticle hydrolysis. The in-vitro production of cuticle-degrading enzymes, such as chitinase, proteinase, caseinase, lipase and amylase in fourteen isolates of M. anisopliae exhibited significant natural isolate variability. The isolates were also evaluated for chitinase and proteinase enzyme assays in order to quantify the enzyme production. The growth characteristics and colony morphology of the isolates showed variation and few isolates formed sectors and the colonies were either fluffy or powdery. Among the isolates studied, isolate UM2 was found to show good consistence with the results on enzyme measurements as well as the growth characteristics and colony morphology. Such characterization of isolate variability could rationally be used in the selection of isolates for the production of improved myco-pesticides in the integrated pest management programs.