Irritable bowel syndrome in the community: a cross-sectional study looking at patient experiences and challenges with the low FODMAP diet
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Medicine, Huntington Health an Affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, Pasadena, CA, United States
- 2Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- 3International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Mount Pleasant, SC, United States
- 4Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- 5Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Abstract
While a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) is the most evidence-based dietary therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), data on patient experiences with the low FODMAP diet (LFD) remains sparse. Even less information exists examining patients’ experiences with the re-introduction and personalization phases of LFD, especially in the community setting. This cross-sectional study surveyed 387 participants from the mailing list of the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) about their experiences with LFD. Additionally, focus groups collected qualitative data about participants’ experiences with the LFD diet. Despite 70% of participants reporting perceived improvement of symptoms with FODMAP restriction, 70% of participants reported that LFD was either somewhat or extremely difficult to follow and 59% of participants reported continuing the restriction phase beyond 8 weeks. 41% of participants found the re-introduction phase somewhat or extremely difficult and two-thirds took >1 month to complete it. Only 30% and 25% of participants worked with a dietitian for restriction and re-introduction phases, with many receiving their information online or via app. Finally, over 80% of participants reported they would be interested in a simplified version of the LFD. While the LFD led to perceived symptom improvement in most IBS patients, it is associated with limitations, including its complexity and restrictiveness. Furthermore, food-related fear and anxiety, particularly during restriction and reintroduction phases, pose significant challenges. These findings underscore the practical limitations LFD has, and participants expressed a strong interest in a simpler, more convenient alternative.
Related
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- Gut microbial functional associations with subsequent irritable bowel syndrome in a prospective, paediatric case–control study
BibTeX
@article{fehlman2026irritable,
title = {{Irritable bowel syndrome in the community: a cross-sectional study looking at patient experiences and challenges with the low FODMAP diet}},
author = {Jared Fehlman and Westley Peng and Christian Pfenning and Hayley McCorkle and Judy W. Nee and William D. Chey and Ceciel Rooker and Sarah Ballou and Allen A. Lee and Prashant Singh},
journal = {Frontiers in Gastroenterology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Irritable bowel syndrome in the community: a cross-sectional study looking at patient experiences and challenges with the low FODMAP diet
AU - Jared Fehlman
AU - Westley Peng
AU - Christian Pfenning
AU - Hayley McCorkle
AU - Judy W. Nee
AU - William D. Chey
AU - Ceciel Rooker
AU - Sarah Ballou
AU - Allen A. Lee
AU - Prashant Singh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Frontiers in Gastroenterology
DO - 10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300
AB - While a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) is the most evidence-based dietary therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), data on patient experiences with the low FODMAP diet (LFD) remains sparse. Even less information exists examining patients’ experiences with the re-introduction and personalization phases of LFD, especially in the community setting. This cross-sectional study surveyed 387 participants from the mailing list of the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) about their experiences with LFD. Additionally, focus groups collected qualitative data about participants’ experiences with the LFD diet. Despite 70% of participants reporting perceived improvement of symptoms with FODMAP restriction, 70% of participants reported that LFD was either somewhat or extremely difficult to follow and 59% of participants reported continuing the restriction phase beyond 8 weeks. 41% of participants found the re-introduction phase somewhat or extremely difficult and two-thirds took >1 month to complete it. Only 30% and 25% of participants worked with a dietitian for restriction and re-introduction phases, with many receiving their information online or via app. Finally, over 80% of participants reported they would be interested in a simplified version of the LFD. While the LFD led to perceived symptom improvement in most IBS patients, it is associated with limitations, including its complexity and restrictiveness. Furthermore, food-related fear and anxiety, particularly during restriction and reintroduction phases, pose significant challenges. These findings underscore the practical limitations LFD has, and participants expressed a strong interest in a simpler, more convenient alternative.
SN - 2813-1169
ER -