Nutritional practices and dietetic provision in the endometriosis population, with a focus on functional gut symptoms

Deepak Kumar K, Komal Deepak Kumar, Appleby-Gunnill B, Bridie Appleby-Gunnill, Bridie Appleby‐Gunnill, Kate Maslin
Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2023 · vol. 36(4) , pp. 1529–1538 · doi:10.1111/jhn.13158 · PMID:36794746 · W4321004242
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Dietitians in the UK commonly use the low-FODMAP diet for endometriosis patients, yet these patients experience significant gut symptoms and lack adequate dietetic support.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common condition causing chronic pain, fatigue and gut symptoms. Research suggests that dietary changes may improve symptoms; however, evidence is lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional practices and needs of individuals with endometriosis (IWE) and the management of endometriosis by dietitians in the UK, focusing on gut symptoms. METHODS: Two online questionnaires were distributed via social media: a survey of dietitians working with IWE and functional gut symptoms and a survey of IWE. RESULTS: All respondents to the dietitian survey (n = 21) used the low fermentable oligosaccharides disaccharides monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet in IWE, with the majority 69.3% (n = 14), reporting positive adherence and patient benefit. Dietitians recommended more training (85.7%, n = 18) and resources (81%, n = 17) for IWE. Of those who completed the IWE questionnaire (n = 1385), 38.5% (n = 533) had coexisting irritable bowel syndrome. Only 24.1% (n = 330) had satisfactory relief of gut symptoms. The most common symptoms were tiredness, bloating and abdominal pain, experienced by 85.5% (n = 1163), 75.3% (n = 1025) and 67.3% (n = 917), respectively. Some 52.2% (n = 723) had tried dietary modifications to relieve their gut symptoms; 36.7% (n = 500) ate a restricted diet at present; 13.5% (n = 184) experienced recent unintentional weight loss and 29.8% (n = 407) a decreased appetite Some 13.2% (n = 183) had seen a dietitian regarding their gut symptoms. Of those who had not seen a dietitian, 57.7% (n = 693) would find it useful to. CONCLUSIONS: Gut symptoms and dietary restriction are very common in IWE; however, dietetic input is not. More research on the role of nutrition and dietetics in the management of endometriosis is recommended.

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Condition tags

endometriosisirritable_bowel_syndrome

MeSH descriptors

Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics Dietetics

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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Cited by (10)

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