Effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Al-Biltagi M.; El Amrousy D.; El Ashry H.; Maher S.; Mohammed M.A.; Hasan S.
Journal: World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics
Publisher: Baishideng Publishing Group Inc
Publication Date: 9 July 2022
Volume / Issue: Volume 11 / Issue 4
Pages: 330–340
ISSN: 22192808
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Al-Biltagi M., Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, 26671, Bahrain, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Al Gharbia, Tanta, 31527, Egypt, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, Manama, 26671, Bahrain; El Amrousy D., Department of Pediatrics, Tanta University, Faculty of Medicine, Alghrabia, Tanta, 31527, Egypt; El Ashry H., Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Alghrabia, Tanta, 31527, Egypt; Maher S., Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, 12411, Egypt; Mohammed M.A., Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt; Hasan S., Department of Pediatrics, Tanta University, Faculty of Medicine, Alghrabia, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in children and adults, which increased over the past twenty years. The Mediterranean diet is a well-known diet full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. AIM To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on disease patterns in children and adolescents with IBS. METHODS This prospective, cross-sectional case-controlled study included 100 consecutive IBS patients diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria, aged 12-18 years. Patients were subdivided into two groups (50 patients each); Group I received a Mediterranean diet, and Group II on their regular diet for six months. Besides IBS scores (IBS-SSS, IBS-QoL, and total score), different clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at the start and end of the study. RESULTS The Mediterranean diet was safe and well-tolerated in IBS patients. IBS children and adolescents with good adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED Score ≥ 8 points); group I showed significant improvement in IBS scores. IBS-SSS in the Mediterranean diet group was 237.2 ± 65 at the beginning of the study and decreased to 163.2 ± 33.8 at the end of the study (P < 0.001). It did not show a significant improvement in the group with a regular diet (248.3 ± 71.1 at the beginning of the study compared to 228.5 ± 54.3 at the study end with P < 0.05). The mean IBS-SSS in the Mediterranean diet group significantly improved compared with the group with a regular diet. Mean IBS-QoL in group I improved from 57.3 ± 12.9 at the start of the study to 72.4 ± 11.2 at the study end (P < 0.001) and significantly improved when compared to its level in group II at the study end (59.2 ± 12.7 with P < 0.001), while group II showed no significant improvement in IBSQoL at the study end when compared to the beginning of the study (59.2 ± 11.7 with P >0.05). The mean total IBS score in group I became 28.8 ± 11.2 at the end of our study compared to 24.1 ± 10.4 at the start (P < 0.05) and significantly improved when compared to its level in group II at the end of the study (22.1 ± 12.5 with P < 0.05), while in group II, non-significant improvement in the total score at the end of our study compared to its mean level at the start of the study (22.8 ± 13.5 with P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The Mediterranean diet was safe and associated with significant improvement in IBS scores in children and adolescent patients with IBS. © The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Children and adolescents; Irritable bowel syndrome; Mediterranean diet; Safety; Tolerability
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 19
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