Rationale, development, and design of the Altering Intake, Managing Symptoms (AIMS) dietary intervention for bowel dysfunction in rectal cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Bowel dysfunction is a common, persistent long-term effect of treatment for rectal cancer survivors. Survivors often use dietary modifications to maintain bowel control. There are few evidence-based interventions to guide survivors on appropriate diet modifications for bowel symptom management. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and design of the Altering Intake, Managing Symptoms (AIMS) intervention to support bowel dysfunction management in rectal cancer survivors. METHODS: The AIMS intervention is a ten-session, telephone-based diet behavior change intervention delivered by trained health coaches. It uses dietary recall, participant-completed food and symptom diaries, and health coaching guided by motivational interviewing to promote bowel symptom management and improved diet quality. Based on the Chronic Care Self-Management Model (CCM), the AIMS Intervention is designed to improve self-efficacy and self-management of bowel symptoms by coaching survivors to appropriately modify their diets through goal setting, self-monitoring, and problem-solving. The intervention targets survivors with stage I-III rectosigmoid colon/rectum cancer who are 6 months post-treatment, 21 years and older, and English-speaking. CONCLUSIONS: The design and development process described in this paper provides an overview and underscores the potential of the AIMS intervention to positively impact the quality of long-term survivorship for rectal cancer survivors. An ongoing pilot study will inform the design and development of future multi-site Phase II and III randomized trials.

Pacientes con trastorno funcional intestinal: eficacia de una dieta baja en FODMAPS para el tratamiento de los síntomas digestivos / Patients with functional bowel disorder: effectiveness of a diet low in FODMAPS for the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms

Introducción: Investigaciones recientes indican que los síntomas digestivos que presentan los pacientes con trastorno funcional intestinal mejoran con la restricción en la dieta de los hidratos de carbono de cadena corta (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides and Monosaccharides and Polyols: FODMAPs). Objetivos: 1. Valorar la eficacia de una dieta baja en FODMAPs en la mejoría de los síntomas digestivos en pacientes con trastorno funcional intestinal y en aquellos con enfermedades orgánicas del tubo digestivo. 2. Examinar qué alimentos dentro de cada grupo de hidratos de carbono (fructanos, galactanos, lactosa, exceso de fructosa y polioles) vuelven a tolerar los pacientes, después de realizar una dieta de reintroducción de alimentos con FODMAPs. Método: Investigación prospectiva que estudió de forma consecutiva 164 pacientes con trastorno funcional intestinal tratados en la consulta del Área de Nutrición de un hospital universitario de España. Los síntomas que presentaban eran dolor abdominal, distensión, gases, diarreas y/o estreñimiento. Durante 6-8 semanas siguieron dieta baja en FODMAPs, analizando en todos los casos la mejoría y la adherencia al tratamiento dietético. Posteriormente siguieron la dieta de reintroducción de alimentos con FODMAPs, evaluando la tolerancia a cada uno de los alimentos. Resultados: El ochenta y cuatro por ciento de los pacientes presentaron mejoría de los síntomas digestivos con una alta adherencia al tratamiento. Después de realizar la dieta de reintroducción, más del 80% de los pacientes volvieron a tolerar trigo, así como lácteos con lactosa y más del 70% legumbres y 2 raciones de frutas bajas en fructosa en la misma toma. Conclusiones: 1. La dieta baja en FODMAPs es eficaz para mejorar la sintomatología digestiva de los pacientes con trastorno funcional intestinal. 2. La mayor adherencia a la dieta se asocia con una mejoría total de los síntomas digestivos. 3. La mayoría de los pacientes, tras realizar la dieta de reintroducción, vuelve a tolerar trigo, leche, derivados lácteos con lactosa y legumbres, así como una variedad de frutas con alto contenido en FODMAPs (AU)

Introduction: Recent studies indicate that the gastrointestinal symptoms presented by patients with functional bowel disorder improve by restricting the intake of short-chain carbohydrates (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides and Monosaccharides and Polyols: FODMAPs). Objectives: l. Evaluate the efficacy of a diet low in FODMAPs for the improvement of most gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with functional bowel disorder and patients with organic gastrointestinal disorders. 2. Examine the foods within each group of carbohydrates (fructans, galactans, lactose, excess of fructose and polyols) that the patients can again tolerate, after following a diet of reintroducing foods with FODMAPs. Method: Prospective study of 164 patients consecutive with functional bowel disorder attending the Nutrition Unit of a Spanish university hospital. The symptoms presented were abdominal pain, bloating, wind, diarrhoea and/or constipation. Patients followed for 6-8 weeks a diet low in FODMAPs, analysing in every case the improvement and adherence to the dietary treatment. They subsequently followed a re-introductory diet of nutrients with FODMAPs, evaluating their tolerance to each one of the food items. Results: Eighty-four percent of the patients showed an improvement in the gastrointestinal symptoms with a high level of adherence to the dietary treatment. After performing the reintroduction diet, more than 80% of the patients tolerated again wheat as well as dairy products with lactose and more than 70%, legumes and 2 pieces of low-fructose fruits together. Conclusions: 1.The diet low in FODMAPs is effective in improving the gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with functional bowel disorder. 2. Greater adherence to the diet is associated with a general improvement in the gastrointestinal symptoms. 3. The majority of the patients, after following the re-introductory phase, tolerated again wheat, milk, dairy products with lactose and legumes, as well as a variety of fruits with high FODMAPs content (AU)

Empleo de probióticos y prebióticos en los trastornos digestivos funcionales / No disponible

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Food choice as a key management strategy for functional gastrointestinal symptoms.

Recognition of food components that induce functional gut symptoms in patient's functional bowel disorders (FBD) has been challenging. Food directly or indirectly provides considerable afferent input into the enteric nervous system. There is an altered relationship between the afferent input and perception/efferent response in FBD. Defining the nature of food-related stimuli may provide a means of minimizing such an input and gut symptoms. Using this premise, reducing the intake of FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides and polyols)--poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates that, by virtue of their small molecular size and rapid fermentability, will distend the intestinal lumen with liquid and gas--improves symptoms in the majority of patients. Well-developed methodologies to deliver the diet via dietician-led education are available. Another abundant source of afferent input is natural and added food chemicals (such as salicylates, amines, and glutamates). Studies are needed to assess the efficacy of the low food chemical dietary approach. A recent placebo-controlled trial of FODMAP-poor gluten provided the first valid evidence that non-celiac gluten intolerance might actually exist, but its prevalence and underlying mechanisms require elucidation. Food choice via the low FODMAP and potentially other dietary strategies is now a realistic and efficacious therapeutic approach for functional gut symptoms.

Sugar malabsorption in functional abdominal bloating: a pilot study on the long-term effect of dietary treatment.

BACKGROUND: Functional abdominal bloating is a functional bowel disorder dominated by a feeling of abdominal fullness without sufficient criteria for another functional gastrointestinal disorder. Gas-related complaints (i.e., passage of flatus), which are present in a subgroup of these patients, might be associated with carbohydrate malabsorption. AIM: To evaluate the presence of lactose and/or fructose plus sorbitol malabsorption, and the long-term efficacy of malabsorbed sugar-free diets, in patients with Rome II criteria of functional abdominal bloating and gas-related symptoms. METHODS: Thirty-six consecutive patients (age, 51+/-3.1 years; sex, 12 M, 24 W) with Rome II criteria of functional abdominal bloating and gas-related symptoms were included in a pilot study. In all cases, the presence of malabsorption of both lactose (20 g) and fructose plus sorbitol (20+3.5 g) was assessed by means of hydrogen breath test. Patients with sugar malabsorption were put on a malabsorbed sugar-free diet. Follow-up visits were scheduled at both 1 and 12 months after starting the diet. Global rating scales of change as compared to the beginning of the study were used to assess symptom changes. RESULTS: Twenty-six of 36 patients (72.2%) presented sugar malabsorption (six lactose, 12 fructose plus sorbitol, and eight both). Seventeen of the 26 (65%) patients with malabsorption had symptoms of sugar intolerance during the 3-h breath testing period. All 26 were put on malabsorbed sugar-free diets. Eighty-one per cent of patients referred clinical improvement at 1-month visit, which was maintained at 12 months in 67% of them (complete improvement in 50% and partial improvement in 16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Sugar malabsorption and intolerance seem to be frequent in patients with functional abdominal bloating and gas-related complaints. A malabsorbed sugar-free diet might be a long-term effective therapy in a high percentage of patients. Further controlled clinical trials are warranted.

A 14-day elemental diet is highly effective in normalizing the lactulose breath test.

Treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is frustrated by the low efficacy of antibiotics. Elemental diets have been shown to reduce enteric flora. In this study, we evaluate the ability of an elemental diet to normalize the lactulose breath test (LBT) in IBS subjects with abnormal breath test findings. Consecutive subjects with IBS and abnormal LBT suggesting the presence of bacterial overgrowth underwent a 2-week exclusive elemental diet. The diet consisted of Vivonex Plus (Novartis Nutrition Corp., Minneapolis, MN) in a quantity based on individual caloric requirement. On day 15 (prior to solid food), subjects returned for a follow-up breath test and those with an abnormal LBT were continued on the diet for an additional 7 days. The ability of an elemental diet to normalize the LBT was determined for days 15 and 21. A chart review was then conducted to evaluate any clinical benefit 1 month later. Of the 93 subjects available for analysis, 74 (80%) had a normal LBT on day 15 of the elemental diet. When those who continued to day 21 were included, five additional patients normalized the breath test (85%). On chart review, subjects who successfully normalized their breath test had a 66.4 +/- 36.1% improvement in bowel symptoms, compared to 11.9 +/- 22.0% in those who failed to normalize (P < 0.001). An elemental diet is highly effective in normalizing an abnormal LBT in IBS subjects, with a concomitant improvement in clinical symptoms.

Systematic review: the role of different types of fibre in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Both high-fibre dietary advice and the prescription of fibre as a bulking agent are very common in primary and secondary care management of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome patients with constipation may have delayed intestinal transit. Therefore, fibres that accelerate intestinal transit may be beneficial in these patients. The uncertain benefits reported in several clinical studies, however, have led us to reappraise the value of fibre in irritable bowel syndrome management. AIM: To quantify the effect of different types of fibre on global and symptom relief from irritable bowel syndrome. METHODS: Using a structured literature search in MEDLINE (1966-2002), we selected randomized controlled trials involving irritable bowel syndrome patients treated with fibre. Analyses were performed for the total group and for trials using soluble and insoluble fibre separately. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included in the analysis. None investigated primary care irritable bowel syndrome patients. Fibre, in general, was effective in the relief of global irritable bowel syndrome symptoms [relative risk, 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-1.50]. Irritable bowel syndrome patients with constipation may receive benefit from fibre treatment (relative risk, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.21-2.02), but there was no evidence that fibre was effective in the relief of abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome. Soluble and insoluble fibre, separately, had different effects on global irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Soluble fibre (psyllium, ispaghula, calcium polycarbophil) showed significant improvement (relative risk, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.35-1.78), whereas insoluble fibre (corn, wheat bran), in some cases, worsened the clinical outcome, but there was no significant difference compared with placebo (relative risk, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.72-1.11). CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of fibre in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome are marginal for global irritable bowel syndrome symptom improvement and irritable bowel syndrome-related constipation. Soluble and insoluble fibres have different effects on global irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Indeed, in some cases, insoluble fibres may worsen the clinical outcome. Future clinical studies evaluating the effect and tolerability of fibre therapy are needed in primary care.

Irritable bowel syndrome: evaluation and treatment.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and disturbed defecation in the absence of other medical conditions with similar presentations. Because physical findings and currently available diagnostic tests lack sufficient specificity for clinical use, the diagnosis of IBS is based on characteristic symptoms as outlined in several symptom-based criteria for IBS. When used in combination with a detailed history, physical examination, and limited diagnostic testing, these criteria are a valid method of diagnosing IBS. Once a confident diagnosis of IBS has been made, treatment of IBS should be based on the predominant symptom while taking into account the severity of symptoms and the degree of functional impairment both physically and psychologically. Most patients with IBS have mild symptoms and education, reassurance, dietary and lifestyle changes, and a therapeutic physician-patient relationship form the backbone of treatment. A smaller number of patients have moderate symptoms, which are typically intermittent, but may at times interrupt their normal activities. In addition to dietary and lifestyle modifications, pharmacologic intervention based on the predominant symptom (diarrhea, constipation, or pain) may be used to relieve symptoms. Finally, a small subset of patients has severe or intractable symptoms. These patients, often seen in tertiary referral centers, often have constant pain symptoms and psychosocial impairments. A multidisciplinary approach including pharmacologic treatments, psychologic treatments, and possibly a mental health or pain center involvement may be beneficial.

A systematic review of alternative therapies in the irritable bowel syndrome.

The irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder associated with a significant burden of illness, poor quality of life, high rates of absenteeism, and high health care utilization. Management can be difficult and treatment unrewarding; these facts have led physicians and patients toward alternative therapies. We explored a variety of treatments that exist beyond the scope of commonly used therapies for irritable bowel syndrome. Guarded optimism exists for traditional Chinese medicine and psychological therapies, but further well-designed trials are needed. Oral cromolyn sodium may be useful in chronic unexplained diarrhea and appears as effective as and safer than elimination diets. The roles of lactose and fructose intolerance remain poorly understood. Alterations of enteric flora may play a role in irritable bowel syndrome, but supporting evidence for bacterial overgrowth or probiotic therapy is lacking.

A review of the role of the gut microflora in irritable bowel syndrome and the effects of probiotics.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multi-factorial gastrointestinal condition affecting 8-22 % of the population with a higher prevalence in women and accounting for 20-50 % of referrals to gastroenterology clinics. It is characterised by abdominal pain, excessive flatus, variable bowel habit and abdominal bloating for which there is no evidence of detectable organic disease. Suggested aetiologies include gut motility and psychological disorders, psychophysiological phenomena and colonic malfermentation. The faecal microflora in IBS has been shown to be abnormal with higher numbers of facultative organisms and low numbers of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Although there is no evidence of food allergy in IBS, food intolerance has been identified and exclusion diets are beneficial to many IBS patients. Food intolerance may be due to abnormal fermentation of food residues in the colon, as a result of disruption of the normal flora. The role of probiotics in IBS has not been clearly defined. Some studies have shown improvements in pain and flatulence in response to probiotic administration, whilst others have shown no symptomatic improvement. It is possible that the future role of probiotics in IBS will lie in prevention, rather than cure.

Irritable bowel syndrome: basis of clinical management strategies.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often described as challenging. The diagnosis of IBS can safely be made using the Rome II criteria in conjunction with a thorough physical examination and a limited number of diagnostic studies. Although the diagnosis is generally made with a high degree of accuracy, the pathophysiology of IBS remains elusive, and treatment can be frustrating for both patient and physician alike. Important areas of research focus on the psychology of IBS, visceral hypersensitivity, motility abnormalities (e.g., heightened gastrocolonic response), and the "brain-gut axis." A multidisciplinary effort is often required to ameliorate symptoms and improve the patients' quality of life. This review article will discuss the myriad of treatments available for patients with IBS, and provide both a clinical and practical discussion of their use, providing evidence where available and clinical experience where it is not.

Diet in the irritable bowel syndrome.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often request dietary recommendations. They must eat, and they want to know what to eat. Present national guidelines recommend dietary treatment with fiber for IBS patients with constipation. Diet recommendations are made based on symptoms. There may be different dietary recommendations for constipation, diarrhea, and pain or bloating. This article reviews the relationship of foods to IBS and issues of food intolerances and hypersensitivities, and recommendations for diet therapy. The role of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble, is reviewed. Although there are few studies to substantiate exact diets, broad dietary plans are recommended for the different symptoms of IBS. In addition, the recent literature on probiotics and prebiotics pertinent to IBS is reviewed.

High-fiber diet supplementation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a multicenter, randomized, open trial comparison between wheat bran diet and partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG).

High-fiber diet supplementation is commonly used in IBS, although it poses several management problems. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) has shown beneficial effects in animal and human studies, but its potential role in IBS symptom relief has not been evaluated yet. We investigated PHGG in IBS patients and compared it to a wheat bran diet. Abdominal pain, bowel habits, and subjective overall rating were longitudinally evaluated in 188 adult IBS patients (139 women and 49 men) for 12 weeks. Patients were classified as having diarrhea-predominant, constipation-predominant, or changeable bowel habits and were randomly assigned to groups receiving fiber (30 g/day of wheat bran) or PHGG (5 g/day). After four weeks, patients were allowed to switch group, depending on their subjective evaluation of their symptoms. Significantly more patients switched from fiber to PHGG (49.9%) than from PHGG to fiber (10.9%) at four weeks. Per protocol analysis showed that both fiber and PHGG were effective in improving pain and bowel habits, but no difference was found between the two groups. Conversely, intention-to-treat analysis showed a significantly greater success in the PHGG group (60%) than in the fiber group (40%). Moreover, significantly more patients in the PHGG group reported a greater subjective improvement than those in the Fiber group. In conclusion, improvements in core IBS symptoms (abdominal pain and bowel habits) were observed with both bran and PHGG, but the latter was better tolerated and preferred by patients, revealing a higher probability of success than bran and a lower probability of patients abandoning the prescribed regimen, suggesting that it can increase the benefits deriving from fiber intake in IBS, making it a valid option to consider for high-fiber diet supplementation.

Evaluation of hydrogen excretion after lactulose administration as a screening test for causes of irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether it is possible to separate cases of irritable bowel syndrome associated with excess total hydrogen production (as a surrogate of colonic fermentation; these patients may be offered an exclusion diet as treatment) from other causes of irritable bowel syndrome by determining the amount of hydrogen excreted on patients' breath after oral administration of lactulose. DESIGN: Comparison of 24-hour hydrogen excretion and breath hydrogen following lactulose in untreated patients fulfilling the Rome criteria for irritable bowel syndrome, normal controls and irritable bowel syndrome patients who had previously failed to improve on an exclusion diet. METHODS: Colonic fermentation was measured by indirect calorimetry over 24 h. Immediately after calorimetry, the patients who were fasting received 20 g lactulose; end-expiratory breath samples were then collected every 30 min for 3 h. Hydrogen concentrations were determined by an electro-chemical cell. RESULTS: The total 24-hour excretion of hydrogen was significantly greater in the irritable bowel syndrome group (median 333.7 ml/24 h, interquartile range 234.7-445.67) compared to the normal volunteers (median 203.1 ml/24 h, interquartile range 131.4-256; P = 0.002) or the failed-diet group (median 204.5 ml/24 h, interquartile range 111.35-289.13; P = 0.015). No difference was detected in breath excretion of hydrogen following lactulose in any group. CONCLUSION: Total hydrogen production over 24 h is increased in some patients with irritable bowel syndrome who may respond to exclusion diets. However, this sub-group of patients cannot be identified by measuring breath-hydrogen excretion after lactulose.

Síndrome do intestino irritável / Irritable bowel syndrome

O diagnóstico clínico da síndrome do intestino irritável (SII) é realizado com base na presença de sintomas de dor abdominal crônica ou recorrente e alteraçöes do hábito intestinal: o padräo de alternância entre constipaçäo e diarréia é comum; lesöes estruturais e bioquímicas näo podem estar presentes.(au)

Nutritional issues in irritable bowel syndrome.

Food products have variously been reported as causing, perpetuating or treating irritable bowel syndrome. The evidence for this is reviewed with regard to recent studies investigating symptom reporting, mono- and disaccharide malabsorption and probiotics. The development of objective measures remains an urgent priority because of the high placebo response to any dietary intervention in irritable bowel syndrome.

Dietary treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: current evidence and guidelines for future practice.

The aim of this literature review is to produce guidelines for dietetic practice in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by evaluating the research available. In this area randomized control trials (RCT) only account for a small proportion of the literature and have been concentrated in the modification of dietary fibre in patients with IBS. The bulk of the literature is mainly observational trials from which no indisputable conclusions can be extracted. In this review, the evidence available has been interpreted within the context of the current knowledge base. Conclusions are drawn to facilitate the development of guidelines, enabling a starting point for discussion and an evaluation of current practice. The literature available on therapeutic dietary manipulation in IBS patients is centred around non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), mono and disaccharide sensitivity and food intolerance. The production of these guidelines has focused on research examining the role of dietary components in the therapeutic management of patients with IBS. However, where there is a deficiency in the literature directly relating dietary intake to management of IBS patients, physiological function in relation to dietary components has been relied upon to produce practical guidelines which can be applied realistically in a clinical environment. An interpretation of the evidence has revealed a limited role for exclusion diets, a move away from high-fibre diets towards the manipulation of fibre fractions in the diet, an evaluation of the effects of caffeine on gut function and the necessity for individual dietary assessment to identify dietary issues pertinent to the patient's symptoms. These guidelines outline a positive role for dietitians in the treatment of IBS patients which draws on the unique skills possessed by dietitians regarding the assessment of habitual eating habits and therapeutic dietary manipulation.

[Partially hydrolyzed guar gum: a fiber as coadjuvant in the irritable colon syndrome]. / Gomma guar parzialmente idrolizzata: una fibra come coadiuvante nella sindrome del colon irritabile.

PURPOSE: Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble dietary fiber, possessing non-gelling properties. The objective of this clinical experience was to evaluate the progress of symptoms and the modifications in the frequency of evacuation in subjects affected by IBS and regularly taking PHGG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The group was made up of 134 out-patients of both sexes, average age 43.12, suffering from IBS, both obese and of normal weigh, with a mean number of weekly evacuations between 2 and 35. The subjects, divided in 2 groups on the basis of Body Mass Index (BMI), were submitted for 24 weeks to a balanced, low or normal calorie diet supplemented by 5 g a day of PHGG. The following information was gathered: number of weekly evacuation, typical symptoms of IBS, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels. In a few subjects (n. = 34) also the plasmatic electrolyte levels, before and during PHGG intake, were evaluated. RESULTS: Both groups showed positive results in the evacuation frequency (p < 0.01 at 12th week) and a decrease, after 3 weeks of PHGG intake, in frequency of IBS symptoms such as flatulence (-55.6%), abdominal tension (-4.7%) and abdominal spasm (-35%). On the other hand an increased number of subjects showed normal levels of cholesterol (+12.2%), lipids (+26.9%) and glucose (+16%). Concentrations of plasmatic electrolytes didn't change during PHGG intake, except for a marked increase of selenium levels, compared to pre-intake levels. CONCLUSIONS: The observations obtained from this clinical experience reassert that dietary fiber supplementation is useful in cases of altered intestinal motility. PHGG, due to its water-solubility and non-gelling properties, can be useful also in IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome: is the search for lactose intolerance justified?

OBJECTIVES: To determine if confirmation of hypolactasia offers any benefit to the dietary treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two consecutive IBS patients (37 male, 85 female) were given lactose hydrogen breath tests (LHBT). Those with positive LHBT followed a low lactose diet for 3 weeks. Those improving on the diet were given double-blind, placebo-controlled challenges (DBPCC) with 5 g, 10 g and 15 g of lactose and a placebo, to confirm lactose intolerance. Those who did not respond to the low lactose diet followed either an exclusion or low fibre diet. Symptoms scores were kept prior to the LHBT, 8 h post-LHBT and daily whilst following any dietary change. Patients with negative LHBT returned to clinic and subsequent dietary interventions were recorded. RESULTS: LHBT was positive in 33/122 (27%) IBS patients. Syrr otom scores prior to LHBT were not significantly different between the two groups, but after LHBT the symptoms in the positive group were significantly worse. Twenty-three patients followed a low-lactose diet of which only nine (39%) improved. Six who did not improve followed an exclusion diet, three improved and all were intolerant of milk. Three tried a low fibre diet with two improving. DBPCC were inconclusive. In the negative LHBT group 35 agreed to try a diet and 24 improved (69%). Eight were intolerant of cow's milk. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a low lactose diet was disappointing in IBS patients with lactose malabsorption. Food intolerance was demonstrated in IBS patients with positive or negative LHBT and milk was identified as a problem in both groups. DBPCC were inconclusive. There appears to be little advantage in trying to separate patients who malabsorb lactose from others with IBS.