SUBJECTS WITH UNINVESTIGATED IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME HAVE AN ALTERED NUTRIENTS INTAKE

Background and aim: Diet seems to play a trigger role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms generation. However population based surveys evaluating dietary habits and nutrients intake in IBS patients are scanty. Aim of our study was to compare nutrients consumption between uninvestigated IBS and controls subjects. Material and methods: We selected 95 subjects (39 males, median age 33) with IBS symptoms (Rome III Criteria; IBS-diarrhea: 60; IBS-constipation: 35) and 147 controls subjects (66 males, median age 27). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. All subjects were invited to complete a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and nutritional analysis was performed by Winfood Software. Data (mean ± SD) were compared by unpaired T-test. Results: IBS subjects were significantly overweight than controls (BMI 26.2±3.4 kg/m 2 vs 24.7±3.6 kg/m2; p<0.05). No differences in kcal intake, proteins and carbohydrates consumption between IBS and controls subjects were found. IBS subjects had a significant lower consumption than controls of fat (64.8±22.5 g vs 71.4±18.4; p<0.05), fibers (18.5±5.9 g vs 22.5±6.9; p<0.01) and natural antioxidant substances (Vit A: 786±343 μg vs 1121±535, p<0.01; Vit C: 129±77 mg vs 162±83, p<0.01; Vit E 9.3±3.4 mg vs 13.2±4.2, p<0.01; Selenium 25.1±14.2 μg vs 35±18, p<0.01). Conclusions: Overweight and unbalanced diet with lower intake of fiber and natural antioxidant substances (vitamins, minerals) are associated to symptoms of uninvestigated IBS. Further investigations need to evaluate diet in IBS subtypes.