Effects of gluten-free diet on IBS symptoms

Key clinical point: A gluten-free diet influenced bowel habits and had significant positive effects on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom severity, abdominal pain intensity, and daily life interference.

Major finding: In patients with IBS, the IBS-severity scoring system total score (P = .02), abdominal pain intensity (P = .02), and daily life interference (P = .04) improved significantly after the gluten-free intervention but not after the gluten-containing intervention. Patients with IBS reported fewer loose stools during the gluten-free vs gluten-containing intervention (19.2% vs 27.4%; P = .01).

Study details: The data come from a randomized controlled trial (PROT-IBS) including 20 patients with IBS and 21 healthy control individuals who were challenged with gluten (14 g/day) or rice flour during two 14-day interventions, while adhering to a strict gluten-free diet.

,

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Swedish Research Council and other sources. Some authors declared receiving consulting fees or research grants or serving on advisory boards for various sources.

Source: Algera JP et al. Randomised controlled trial: Effects of gluten-free diet on symptoms and the gut microenvironment in irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022;56(9):1318-1327 (Sep 29). Doi: 10.1111/apt.17239