Shauna L. Groven
San Diego State University, USA
Title: Rapid Improvement in Symptoms and Quality of Life among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Following an Autoimmune Protocol Diet
Biography
Biography: Shauna L. Groven
Abstract
Introduction: Dietary modification can potentially improve clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). In this study of the efficacy of an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet in patients with IBD we examined the effect of the AIP diet on symptoms and quality of life, and compared the efficacy of the AIP diet between CD and UC.
Methods: We enrolled 18 adult patients with IBD with mild-moderate disease activity (HBI ≥ 5 or partial Mayo score ≥ 3) and objective evidence of active disease (endoscopy within 7 months and/or elevated fecal calprotectin within 1 month). Three patients withdrew prior to study start due to inability to commit to dietary modification. In the 11 week uncontrolled trial, patients transitioned to an AIP diet over six weeks, and then maintained the diet for five weeks. By week three, patients eliminated grains, alcohol, legumes, and nightshades. Patients prospectively completed health surveys prior to study start, and at weeks three, six, nine, and 11. Rating scale questions were analyzed by mixed design ANOVA using SPSS 24.0.
Results: Results showed that the final cohort included 15 patients (nine CD, six UC), with mean IBD duration of 19 years (SD 14.6) and active biologic use in seven patients. Nine patients have completed surveys at both baseline and week three. Compared to baseline, there were significant improvements in bowel movement frequency (36%, p=0.04), state relaxation/free of tension (28%, p=0.01), and performance of leisure/sport activities (29%, p=0.02) at week three. Surveys indicated no significant improvements in fatigue (45%, p=0.07) and energy (24%, p=0.14), as well as no significant decrease in frequency of abdominal cramps (6%, p=0.53), worry of surgery (5%, p=0.17), fear of not finding a toilet (6%, p=0.39), and irritable mood (18%, p=0.13). Effects of the AIP diet were not significantly different between CD and UC patients, and yielded no significant interaction between time and IBD subtype.
Discussion: Based on prospective patient-reported health surveys, the AIP diet significantly improved clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients with active CD and UC within the first three weeks. Our data suggests dietary change as a feasible and efficacious adjunct to IBD therapy.
