Study Examines Gluten-Free Diet for Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Understanding Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (d-IBS)

A recent study explored the impact of a gluten-free diet on patients diagnosed with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS). This form of irritable bowel syndrome can lead to various symptoms, including diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, cramping, and gas, which may occur simultaneously or alternate. d-IBS is characterized by increased episodes of diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort, but unlike other conditions, it does not involve inflammation, disease, or injury to explain these symptoms.

Research Overview

Published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the study investigated the potential benefits of a gluten-free diet for individuals with d-IBS. While celiac disease is often identified through the presence of villous atrophy in the small intestine, which affects nutrient absorption, some patients experience gluten sensitivity that leads to abdominal pain without this atrophy.

Study Methodology

To assess the effects of a gluten-free diet, the researchers examined the frequency of specific serum antibodies associated with celiac disease among d-IBS patients. They also evaluated gene expressions to predict the diet’s effectiveness. The study involved 145 d-IBS patients, 74 individuals with treated or untreated celiac disease, and 57 patients with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.

Findings and Conclusions

The results indicated that after a six-month gluten-free diet, about 60% of d-IBS patients who tested positive for the HLA-DQ2 gene and the IgG serum antibody saw improvements in stool frequency and abdominal symptoms. The authors concluded that d-IBS patients expressing the HLA-DQ2 gene and the IgG antibody are more likely to benefit from a gluten-free diet. This research provides valuable insights for healthcare practitioners treating patients with diarrhoea who may not meet the criteria for a celiac disease diagnosis but could still gain from dietary changes.

Author Information

Written by Jade Marie Evans, MPharm, Medical Writer.

Reference

Wahnschaffe U et al. (2007). Predictors of Clinical Response to Gluten-Free Diet in Patients Diagnosed With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. (5), 844-850.