Effect of a low‐flatulogenic diet in patients with flatulence and functional digestive symptoms. Issue 6 (19th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azpiroz, F.; Hernandez, C.; Guyonnet, D.; Accarino, A.; Santos, J.; Malagelada, J.‐R.; Guarner, F.
• Is Part Of: Neurogastroenterology & motility. Volume 26:Issue 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 779
• Page End: 785
• Publication Date: 2014-02-19
• Subjects: Gastrointestinal system -- Motility -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Innervation -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-1925

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="nmo12324-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="nmo12324-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Diets rich in fermentable residues increase intestinal gas production. Our aim was to demonstrate the potential effects of diet on gas‐related symptoms.</p> </sec> <sec id="nmo12324-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The effect of a low‐flatulogenic test diet (restricted to foodstuffs low in fermentable residues; <italic>n</italic> = 15) was compared to that of a balanced control diet (Mediterranean type; <italic>n</italic> = 15) in 30 patients complaining of flatulence and other abdominal symptoms using a randomized parallel design. The following outcomes were measured daily: number of anal gas evacuations by an event marker, severity of gas‐related symptoms by 0–10 scales, and sensation of digestive comfort by a −5 (unpleasant) to +5 (pleasant) scale. Measurements were taken pretreatment for 3 days on their habitual diet and for 7 days during the treatment phase.</p> </sec> <sec id="nmo12324-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Key Results</title> <p>No pretreatment differences were detected between patients allocated to the control or test diets. The test diet significantly reduced the number of gas evacuations (by 54 ± 10%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.002 <italic>vs</italic> basal diet) whereas the control diet had a lesser effect (reduction by 28 ± 9%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.059 <italic>vs</italic> basal diet; <italic>p</italic> = 0.089 <italic>vs</italic> test diet). Compared to the control diet, the test diet significantly reduced flatulence (by 48 ± 7% <italic>vs</italic> 27 ± 8%, respectively; <italic>p</italic> = 0.018), abdominal distension (by 48 ± 4% <italic>vs</italic> 22 ± 12%, respectively; <italic>p</italic> = 0.038), and enhanced digestive well‐being (by 149 ± 18% <italic>vs</italic> 58 ± 22%, respectively; <italic>p</italic> = 0.006).</p> </sec> <sec id="nmo12324-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions & Inferences</title> <p>In patients with gas‐related symptoms, a low‐flatulogenic diet produces immediate beneficial effects with digestive, cognitive, and emotive dimensions. The number of gas evacuations is an objective biological marker of response to dietary treatment.</p> </sec> </abstract>