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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #377115
Title: Dietary intervention adherence and adherence barriers in functional gastrointestinal disorder studies

Author
item ALFARO-CRUZ, LIGIA - Baylor College Of Medicine
item HEITKEMPER, MARGARET - University Of Washington
item CHUMPITAZI, BRUNO - Texas Children'S Hospital
item SHULMAN, ROBERT - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2020
Publication Date: 3/1/2020
Citation: Alfaro-Cruz, L., Heitkemper, M., Chumpitazi, B.P., Shulman, R.J. 2020. Dietary intervention adherence and adherence barriers in functional gastrointestinal disorder studies. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 54(3):203-211. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0000000000001280.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0000000000001280

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Dietary management is key in controlling functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) symptoms. However, the degree to which patients with FGIDs in clinical studies adhere to dietary recommendations is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate adherence, dietary education, and adherence-related factors in FGIDs dietary intervention trials. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS for clinical trials evaluating dietary management of FGIDs. Full manuscripts published from January 2000 through August 2018 were reviewed. Data including definitions of adherence and rates, study design, dietary education, use of a dietitian, provision of study foods, potential adherence barriers, and dropouts were captured. A total of 21 publications were included. Fifteen (67%) focused on the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet, 5 (24%) on fiber supplementation, and 1 (9%) on a low carbohydrate diet. Fifteen (71%) were randomized controlled trials. Meals/supplements were provided to the study participants in 27%, 80%, and 100%, of the low FODMAP, fiber, and low carbohydrate studies, respectively, which appeared to significantly enhance adherence (P<0.03). Eighteen studies (81%) provided either written or oral diet information to study participants. Overall, only 10 publications (48%) provided adherence data. Nine (60%) of the low FODMAP studies provided adherence data (range, 30% to 100%); ranges could not be calculated for the other dietary trials. The most common method to measure adherence was via food diaries. Therefore, adherence is not often measured in FGIDs dietary intervention clinical trials; when reported, rates of adherence range widely. Studies providing food had the highest adherence rates.