(P25-002-25) Evaluation of Food Trigger Score in Individuals With Irritable Bowel Syndrome Living in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal illness. Dietary practices has a key role in modifying symptoms severity in patients with IBS. The aim of this study is to identify the frequency of food triggers in individuals with IBS and to evaluate the association between patient characteristics (including demographics and symptoms severity) and food triggers score.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among adults living in Saudi Arabia with IBS based on the Rome IV criteria (n= 98) was carried out. A structured online questionnaire was used to collect data related to sochiodemographics, symptoms severity scale (IBS-SSS), and responses to a set of predefined food triggers. A food score was measured to quantify the number and severity of responses to food triggers. Multilinear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between individual characteristics and food trigger score (adjusted for age and gender).

Results: The frequency of severe symptoms was highly reported by participants consuming spicy foods (64%) followed by legumes (62.0%), cabbage (48.2%), milk (47.7%), and fried foods (43.3%). According to regression analysis, the total food trigger score was significantly predicted by IBS-SSS (β = 0.206, p < 0.05). While at the food group level, the history of chronic conditions significantly predicted the trigger scores for fruit and vegetables (β = 0.308, p < 0.01) and protein foods (β = 0.265, p < 0.0). Also, employment status and IBS-SSS significantly predicted the trigger scores for dairy products (β = 0.265, p < 0.01) and decaffeinated beverages (β = 0.287, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Specific food triggers were strongly associated with higher symptom severity in individuals with IBS. Characteristics like IBS-SSS, history chronic conditions, and employment status could help identify patient responses to food triggers, which signify the importance of individualized dietary interventions to reduce symptom burden in patients with IBS.

Funding Sources: King Abdulaziz University