A DIET AND LIFESTYLE-FACTOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM TO IMPROVE NUTRITIONAL STATUS, SYMPTOMS, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

This study sought to evaluate the impact of an evidence-based diet and lifestyle-factor intervention program on nutrition status, symptoms and quality of life of patients with IBD.

In this retrospective observational study, de-identified medical records from patients with a self-reported diagnosis of IBD were analyzed. All patients included in the study completed an intervention program consisting of 12 to 24 one-on-one counseling sessions with an IBD-focused registered dietitian in a group-practice setting. Measures collected at baseline and at the conclusion of the program were SIBDQ, MUST, patient-reported symptoms, bowel movement frequency and consistency, measures of stress, fatigue, sleep quality as well as risk of eating and feeding disorders (NIAS-9, EAT-26).

67 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. Patients with MUST scores >0 at baseline had significantly decreased MUST scores at the end of the program (p=0.004). IBD-related quality of life scores were significantly higher (mean improvement of 18.6 points) at the end of the program compared to baseline (p<0.001). 67 out of 67 patients (100%) reported fewer symptoms at the end of the program with the most improvements related to cramping (97.1%), nausea (94.4%), and fatigue (93.8%). 96.4% of patients experiencing >3 bowel movements per day (BMPD) at baseline decreased their BMPD by the end of the program with 75% experiencing ≤ 3 BMPD. Patients also significantly improved their sleep quality (p<0.001), fatigue level (p<0.001), and stress levels (p<0.001).

This study demonstrates the potential of a nutrition and lifestyle-factor intervention program to improve IBD patient outcomes. Further study is needed to validate these outcomes alongside a comparable control population and in other patient populations such as those associated with a health plan or employer.