Open AccessVegetarian or gluten‐free diets in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are associated with lower psychological well‐being and a different gut microbiota, but no beneficial effects on the course of the disease
Author(s) -
Schreiner Philipp,
Yilmaz Bahtiyar,
Rossel Jean-Benoît,
Franc Yannick,
Misselwitz Benjamin,
Scharl Michael,
Zeitz Jonas,
Frei Pascal,
Greuter Thomas,
Vavricka Stephan R,
Pittet Valérie,
Siebenhüner Alexander,
Juillerat Pascal,
Känel Roland,
Macpherson Andrew J,
Rogler Gerhard,
Biedermann Luc
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640619841249
Subject(s) - medicine , gut flora , inflammatory bowel disease , disease , depression (economics) , gluten free , prospective cohort study , gastroenterology , psychosocial , anxiety , cohort , cohort study , immunology , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
Background Many inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients follow a restrictive diet due to perceived positive effects on their symptoms. We assessed the prevalence of vegetarian (VD) and gluten‐free diets (GFDs) in IBD patients, the reasons for following such a diet, and whether nutrition has an impact on disease activity and microbiota composition. Methods We included 1254 patients from the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study with prospective acquisition of clinical data and psychosocial, disease‐related and lifestyle factors between 2006 and 2015. Dietary habits were assessed through a self‐report questionnaire. In 92 patients, we analysed intestinal mucosa‐associated microbial composition using high‐throughput sequencing. Results Overall, 4.1% ( n = 52) of the patients reported following a VD and 4.7% ( n = 54) a GFD. No differences regarding disease activity, fistula, hospitalization or surgery rates were observed. Patients on a VD or GFD had significantly higher levels of post‐traumatic stress symptoms. Furthermore, GFD patients had significantly higher anxiety and depression symptom levels. The gut microbiota composition in IBD patients following a VD or GFD was significantly different compared to that of omnivores. Conclusions Although we did not identify a relevant impact of a specific diet on the course of the disease, there was a significant association with lower psychological well‐being in VD and GFD patients.