Quality of Life and Sugar and Fiber Intake in Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to examine quality of life (QOL) and dietary constituents in three subgroups of women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on the severity of their bloating symptoms. A secondary analysis of data from two studies of women with IBS (n = 183), ages 18 to 48, is performed. Measures include the Modified Flanagan Quality of Life Scale and a 3-day food record (n = 95) and a daily symptom diary completed over a month. There are no differences in QOL and few differences in dietary intake, although women with the most severe bloating report less dietary intake of fructose (p = .035) as compared with the women with less severe bloating symptoms. The findings suggest that women with IBS who experience moderate to severe bloating symptoms may not reduce their dietary intake except fructose.