Role of diet and nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are closely linked to nutrition. The latest research indicates that diet and nutrition are significantly involved in the etiopathogenesis of the disease, although their specific role throughout its clinical course still remains unclear. This study reviewed how diet and nutrition are associated with IBD development and management. Even though specific diets have been shown to bring about positive outcomes, there is currently no scientific consensus regarding an appropriate diet that would benefit all IBD patients. We suggest that individualized dietary recommendations are of the greatest importance and that diets should be planned to provide individual IBD patients with specific nutrient requirements while keeping all the clinical aspects of the patients in mind. Further research is clearly necessary to investigate nutritional factors involved in IBD development and, especially, to evaluate the applications of the diets during the course of the disease.     

Current state of dietetic services for inflammatory bowel disease patients in New Zealand: an observational study

Aim

Nutritional therapies for inflammatory bowel disease are increasingly recommended. This study aimed to gain insight from patients, dietitians and gastroenterologists into inflammatory bowel disease dietetic care in New Zealand.

Methods

Mixed-methods surveys were developed and then distributed online to patients with inflammatory bowel disease and dietitians and gastroenterologists that care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Quantitative survey data were analysed using nonparametric statistical tests. Qualitative survey data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Responses were received from 406 inflammatory bowel disease patients, 79 dietitians and 40 gastroenterologists. Half of the patients (52%) had seen a dietitian for nutrition advice. Patients more likely to have seen a dietitian were/had: Crohn's disease (p = 0.001), previous bowel surgery (p < 0.001), younger (p < 0.001) or receiving biologic therapy (p = 0.005). Two-thirds (66%) of patients found the dietitian advice at least moderately useful. A common theme from patient comments was that dietitians needed better knowledge of inflammatory bowel disease. Almost all (97%) gastroenterologists reported that their inflammatory bowel disease patients ask about nutrition; 57% reported that there were inadequate dietitians to meet patient needs. Over 50% of dietitians saw inflammatory bowel disease patients infrequently and 39% were not confident that their knowledge of the nutritional management of inflammatory bowel disease was current. Dietitians desired greater links with the inflammatory bowel disease multidisciplinary team.

Conclusion

Current inflammatory bowel disease dietetic services in New Zealand are inadequate. Standardised care, increased resourcing, dietitian training in inflammatory bowel disease, and stronger links with the multidisciplinary team are suggested to improve services.     

Probiotics in inflammatory bowel diseases and associated conditions

A complex set of interactions between the human genes encoding innate protective functions and immune defenses and the environment of the intestinal mucosa with its microbiota is currently considered key to the pathogenesis of the chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Probiotics offer a method to potentially alter the intestinal microbiome exogenously or may provide an option to deliver microbial metabolic products to alter the chronicity of intestinal mucosal inflammation characterizing IBD. At present, there is little evidence for the benefit of currently used probiotic microbes in Crohn's disease or associated conditions affecting extra-intestinal organs. However, clinical practice guidelines are now including a probiotic as an option for recurrent and relapsing antibiotic sensitive pouchitis and the use of probiotics in mild ulcerative colitis is provocative and suggests potential for benefit in select patients but concerns remain about proof from trials.     

Immune response to hepatitis B vaccination among people with inflammatory bowel diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionThe response rate to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is low and varies markedly. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the response rate to HBV vaccination and identified the factors predictive of an immune response.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, and reviewed the titles and abstracts of studies on the efficacy of HBV vaccination in IBD patients performed through July 2016. Anti-HBs levels > 10 IU/L was considered to be an effective immune response. The primary outcome measure was the response rate to HBV vaccination after series completion, and the secondary outcome was identification of factors at baseline predictive of an immune response.ResultsThirteen studies including 1688 patients were eligible for inclusion. Based on a random-effects model, the pooled rate of a response to HBV vaccination among patients with IBD was 61% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 53–69). Young age (mean difference [MD]: −5.7; 95% CI: −8.46, −2.95) and vaccination during disease remission (relative risk [RR]: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.15–2.29) were associated with a positive response to HBV vaccination. In addition, no immunosuppressive therapy was predictive of an immune response compared to immunomodulatory (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08–1.63) or anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) (RR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.19–2.08) therapy.ConclusionsBased on this meta-analysis, only three of five IBD patients will show a serological response to HBV vaccination. Vaccination should be performed at the time of IBD diagnosis, during disease remission, or before starting immunosuppressive therapy.     

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: association with disease activity and quality of life

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in an IBD cohort. It was hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased disease activity and lower health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Harvey‐Bradshaw index and ulcerative colitis disease activity index were used to assess disease activity. Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores were used to assess HRQOL. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency and its association with disease activity and HRQOL. Results: The study included 504 IBD patients (403 Crohn's disease [CD] and 101 ulcerative colitis [UC]) who had a mean disease duration of 15.5 years in CD patients and 10.9 years in UC patients; 49.8% were vitamin D deficient, with 10.9% having severe deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with older age (P = .004) and older age at diagnosis (P = .03). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with lower HRQOL (regression coefficient –2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI], –4.10 to –0.33) in CD but not UC (regression coefficient 0.41, 95% CI, –2.91 to 3.73). Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with increased disease activity in CD (regression coefficient 1.07, 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.71). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is common in IBD and is independently associated with lower HRQOL and greater disease activity in CD. There is a need for prospective studies to assess this correlation and examine the impact of vitamin D supplementation on disease course.     

Vaccination rate and immunity of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune hepatitis in Germany

Background and aimsImmunosuppressed patients are at risk of severe infections with vaccination preventable diseases. We evaluated vaccination rate and immunity of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).MethodsImmunization rate of 329 children with IBD (n = 300) and AIH (n = 29) was assessed in seven German centres using vaccination certificates, history of chicken pox and by determining anti-varicella zoster virus (VZV) and anti-measles IgG antibodies.ResultsOf the total cohort 86% received long-term immunosuppression. Four doses of a hexavalent vaccine were documented in 89%, at least one dose of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination was documented in 325 (99%), with 300 (92%) receiving two doses. Anti-measles IgG concentrations were insufficient in 11% of the immunized patients.VZV vaccination was officially recommended in Germany since 2004, and implemented in 88% born from 2005 onwards. In patients born earlier VZV catch up vaccination only reached 25% (n = 67). Of 118 patients with documented VZV vaccination 25 (21%) did not display sufficient anti-VZV IgG. Of 198 patients with a history of chicken pox, six had undetectable anti-VZV IgG. Of 29 patients having neither had chicken pox nor VZV vaccination, 20 were found to have sufficient anti-VZV IgG.ConclusionsIn our cohort vaccination coverage for hexavalent and MMR vaccinations was good, but insufficient for VZV vaccination in patients born before 2005. Neither the vaccination certificate nor the history of chicken pox is reliable to predict VZV immunity indicating a need for serologic investigations and if needed vaccination before initiating immunosuppressive therapy.     

儿童炎症性肠病病原菌分析

摘要:目的　分析某院炎症性肠病（Inflammatory Bbowel Disease,IBD）儿童患者粪便中的菌群分布,并与正常对照进行比较,探讨儿童IBD的发生与肠道菌群的关系。方法　选取2011年5月-2014年8月在该院确诊的IBD患儿共101例作为调查对象;同时选取该院同一时间段进行健康体检的健康儿童50例作为对照。收集调查样本新鲜粪便,通过荧光定量PCR检测肠道优势菌群的数量情况,比较溃疡性结肠炎（UC）患儿、克罗恩病（CD）患儿与正常对照组各优势菌种的数量差异。结果　根据菌群定量检测结果发现,拟杆菌属在3组人群中数量差异无统计学意义（F＝3.148,P＞0.05）,UC组及CD组双歧杆菌、缠绕杆菌、乳酸菌、脆弱杆菌、梭状芽胞杆菌比对照组显著减少（F值分别为15.331、17.453、21.479、18.521,27.658,P值均＜0.05）,UC组及CD组肠球菌比正常对照组明显增多（F＝23.457,P＜0.05）。结论　儿童肠道优势菌群与IBD的发生具有关联性,但优势菌群分布与IBD发生的因果关系还需要今后进行进一步的研究证实。     

Therapeutic Implications of Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Related Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Despite being a focal issue to patients, the effect of diet on adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains underexplored with limited guidance. While promising clinical trials are currently underway, there is a need for further evidence-based recommendations. As such, we summarize the current evidence on various diets used in the treatment of IBD and also explore the potential applications of dietary data from related immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, to provide additional information to inform IBD providers. To date, there have been multiple diets investigated as adjunctive therapy in IBD, but many associated studies are small, non-randomized, and not controlled. Mediterranean, vegetarian/vegan, and reduced-calorie/fasting diets have been studied and have shown some positive results in other IMIDs, which may suggest potential applicability to those with IBD, but larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed for further guidance. Gluten-free and low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP)diets do not appear to have an impact on IBD disease activity, but low FODMAP may potentially be helpful for those with concurrent functional gastrointestinal symptoms. Specific carbohydrate diets have been mainly assessed in children but show some potential in small adult studies.     

The Microbiome as a Therapy in Pouchitis and Ulcerative Colitis

The gut microbiome has been implicated in a range of diseases and there is a rapidly growing understanding of this ecosystem’s importance in inflammatory bowel disease. We are yet to identify a single microbe that causes either ulcerative colitis (UC) or pouchitis, however, reduced microbiome diversity is increasingly recognised in active UC. Manipulating the gut microbiome through dietary interventions, prebiotic and probiotic compounds and faecal microbiota transplantation may expand the therapeutic landscape in UC. Specific diets, such as the Mediterranean diet or diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, may reduce intestinal inflammation or potentially reduce the risk of incident UC. This review summarises our knowledge of gut microbiome therapies in UC and pouchitis.     

Ulcerative Colitis and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in a Highly Exposed Population of Community Residents and Workers in the Mid-Ohio Valley

Background: Little is known about environmental determinants of autoimmune diseases.Objectives: We studied autoimmune diseases in relation to level of exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was introduced in the late 1940s and is now ubiquitous in the serum of residents of industrialized countries.Methods: In 2008–2011 we interviewed 32,254 U.S. adults with high serum PFOA serum levels (median, 28 ng/mL) associated with drinking contaminated water near a chemical plant. Disease history was assessed retrospectively from 1952 or birth (if later than 1952) until interview. Self-reported history of autoimmune disease was validated via medical records. Cumulative exposure to PFOA was derived from estimates of annual mean serum PFOA levels during follow-up, which were based on plant emissions, residential and work history, and a fate-transport model. Cox regression models were used to estimate associations between quartiles of cumulative PFOA serum levels and the incidence of autoimmune diseases with ≥ 50 validated cases, including ulcerative colitis (n = 151), Crohn’s disease (n = 96), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 346), insulin-dependent diabetes (presumed to be type 1) (n = 160), lupus (n = 75), and multiple sclerosis (n = 98).Results: The incidence of ulcerative colitis was significantly increased in association with PFOA exposure, with adjusted rate ratios by quartile of exposure of 1.00 (referent), 1.76 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.99), 2.63 (95% CI: 1.56, 4.43), and 2.86 (95% CI: 1.65, 4.96) (p_trend < 0.0001). A prospective analysis of ulcerative colitis diagnosed after the baseline 2005–2006 survey (n = 29 cases) suggested a positive but non-monotonic trend (p_trend = 0.21).Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study of associations between this common environmental exposure and autoimmune diseases in humans. We found evidence that PFOA is associated with ulcerative colitis.     

A population-based study of familial clustering of inflammatory bowel disease in Florence

In the frame of a population-based epidemiological study inthe metropolitan area of Florence in a 15 year period (1978–1992)all prevalent patients affected with ulcerative colitis (UC)or Crohn's disease (CD) (alive and resident in the area at theend of the study) were investigated in order to identify familialclustering. Only 45 patients (5.2%) reported at least 1 relativewith a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Amongthese, 25 patients reported a first-degree relative affectedwith IBD (2.9%). All the 28 families were contacted and detailedpersonal interviews were carried out in order to collect familytrees. The affected relatives living outside the study areawere also identified and their IBD diagnoses were verified.Fifteen families included only affected members with a diagnosisof UC; 5 had only CD, while 8 families had members affectedwith both forms. Two large families had 4 affected members and2 other families had 3. Overall 9 parent-child affected pairswere identified (1 out of every 3 families). The high concordancewithin families for the type of disease (p=0.015) suggests thatthe disease susceptibility is specific. The authors discussthese findings and a possible interpretation of the low proportionof familial cases in this area.     

益生菌对实验性炎症性肠病的肠屏障与微生态影响研究进展

炎症性肠病(IBD)的病因至今未明.近10年来,随着多种IBD动物模型的陆续开发,使得对益生菌治疗作用的研究得以广泛开展.诸多实验研究表明,益生菌对多种IBD动物模型的炎性症状均有明显地改善作用,益生菌的这种作用可能与其抑制肠道致病菌、增强肠屏障功能、调节肠道黏膜免疫反应、降解肠道内在或外来的致病抗原等有关.     

The aetiology and impact of malnutrition in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Disease‐associated undernutrition of all types is very common in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent weight loss remains one of the triad of clinical manifestations and a cornerstone for the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD), although significantly fewer patients now present as being underweight. Recent evidence suggests that the introduction of medical treatment will quickly restore body weight, although this does not reflect concomitant changes in body composition. CD children present with features of nutritional cachexia with normal fat stores but depleted lean mass. Poor bone health, delayed puberty and growth failure are additional features that further complicate clinical management. Suboptimal nutritional intake is a main determinant of undernutrition, although activation of the immune system and secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines exert additional independent effects. Biochemically low concentrations of plasma micronutrients are commonly reported in IBD patients, although their interpretation is difficult in the presence of an acute phase response and other indices of body stores adequacy are needed. Anaemia is a common extraintestinal manifestation of the IBD child. Iron‐deficient anaemia is the predominant type, with anaemia of chronic disease second. Decreased dietary intake, as a result of decreased appetite and food aversion, is the major cause of undernutrition in paediatric IBD. Altered energy and nutrient requirements, malabsorption and increased gastrointestinal losses are additional factors, although their contribution to undernutrition in paediatric CD needs to be studied further.     

Dietary patterns and risk of ulcerative colitis: a case–control study

Background

Recent evidence indicates a role for dietary factors in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC ). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and UC risk.

Methods

Sixty‐two newly diagnosed cases of UC and 124 healthy age and sex‐matched controls were studied. Data on diet was measured using a validated country‐specific food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to define major dietary patterns based on 28 food groups and nutrient content.

Results

After adjustment for confounding factors, subjects who were in the highest tertile of the healthy dietary pattern had a 79% lower risk of UC (odds ratio = 0.21, 95% confidence interval = 0.07–0.59, P  =  0.003), whereas the consumption of an unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with a significantly increased risk of UC (odds ratio = 3.39, 95% 95% confidence interval = 1.16–9.90, P  =  0.027).

Conclusions

The findings of the present study suggest that dietary patterns are associated with UC risk.