Dietary Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome RCT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
E-C DIBS: Randomised Controlled Study: Comparing the Effectiveness and Convenience of Dietary Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) & Functional Dyspepsia
IRAS ID
259079
Contact name
David Sanders
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
not applicable, not applicable
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional lower gastrointestinal disorder characterised by abdominal pain and altered bowel habit in the absence of organic pathology to explain the symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome has a prevalence of approximately 10% in adults, shows a female preponderance, and is more common in younger individuals. In clinical practice, Irritable bowel syndrome accounts for almost a third of all gastroenterology cases seen in primary-care, with a subsequent third of these being referred onto secondary-care for further evaluation. The economic burden of Irritable bowel syndrome, in terms of medical expense, work absenteeism and loss of productivity, is considerable.
The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown. Accordingly there has been a huge surge in interest for dietary therapies to help manage Irritable bowel syndrome. To date, there are only a handful of small randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of dietary therapy in Irritable bowel syndrome. In light of this we plan to conduct the first randomized controlled trial directly comparing the effectiveness of the low-FODMAP diet, British Dietetic Association diet, and the gluten free diet in Irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, such a trial allows for a direct comparison of nutritional and gut microbial changes, both of which can suffer detrimental consequences following the implementation of restrictive dietary therapies. This study is also unique in that it takes into consideration the patients’ perspective with regards to the convenience and cost-effectiveness of implementing such diets into routine day-to-day life. The study will aim to recruit 100 patients from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals gastrointestinal clinics. Following recruitment patients will be seen by a hospital dietitian where they will be randomized to one of the 3 diets. Participants will complete a questionnaire portfolio weekly for one month as part of the study.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0069
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion