The feasibility of an anti-inflammatory diet in endometriosis: barriers and facilitators perceived by endometriosis patients

Emma Huijs, Brenda Joëlle van Stigt, Brenda J. van Stigt, Nicole de Roos, Nicole M. de Roos, Annemiek Nap
Reproductive biomedicine online · 2023 · vol. 48(2) , pp. 103624 · doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103624 · PMID:38181648 · W4387767126
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This qualitative study identified patient-perceived barriers and facilitators for an anti-inflammatory diet in endometriosis, finding that knowledge, social support, and self-efficacy significantly influence feasibility.

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Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the feasibility of an anti-inflammatory diet in women diagnosed with endometriosis? DESIGN: Qualitative study using semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews among patients with endometriosis. Transcripts of the focus groups and interviews were thematically analysed using ATLAS.ti 9. To identify and structure the ideas and views from the focus groups and interviews, two behavioural change models were used. The Capability Opportunity Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model and domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) helped to identify factors that make adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet more or less feasible for women with endometriosis. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 23 patients with endometriosis. Numerous perceived barriers and facilitators were identified from all COM-B components and 13 out of 15 TDF domains. Knowledge and social influences were the most prominent TDF domains. Key barriers were eating with others; disbelief in a patients' own capability regarding specific dietary guidelines; concerns about taste; lack of knowledge on how to follow the diet; lack of noticeable beneficial effect; and lack of intention to follow the diet to full extent. Key facilitators were receiving social support; general confidence in a participant's own capabilities; knowing how and why to follow the diet; noticing beneficial effect; and belief that the diet would alleviate symptoms. CONCLUSION: Provision of knowledge, stimulating social support and enhancing self-efficacy should be emphasized. Overall, an anti-inflammatory diet in endometriosis patients, especially when identified barriers and facilitators are addressed in an intervention, is feasible.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet

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 (9)

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