Evaluation of Efficacy of Low Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols (FODMAP) Diet in Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): An Updated Meta-Analysis of RCTs

Abstract

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder causing chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits, with inadequate treatments integrating into daily patient care. The low FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) diet has emerged as a dietary intervention to help alleviate IBS-related symptoms. This updated meta-analysis investigates the effectiveness of a low FODMAP diet in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms and improving quality of life among patients with IBS. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified 18 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) that evaluated primary outcomes, including the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, severity of abdominal pain, and quality of life. The findings reveal that the FODMAP diet provided greater relief of IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain and bloating, with improvements in quality of life compared to other dietary interventions. Specifically, the meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in abdominal pain (mean difference; -6.86; 95% CI: -9.25 to -4.47; P < 0.05) and an improvement in quality of life (mean difference; 6.61; 95% CI: 3.42 to 8.78; P < 0.05). However, concerns exist regarding long-term compliance and nutritional adequacy. These analyses highlight the need for personalized IBS management and suggest that more research is required to determine long-term outcomes and adherence to a low FODMAP diet.