Efficacy of the fodmap diet in irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis study

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and bloating. With a global prevalence of 4.1%, IBS adversely affects individuals' quality of life and presents significant healthcare and economic burdens. The pathophysiology of IBS involves a multifactorial framework including dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, altered gut motility, and dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. In recent years, the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet has shown promising results in alleviating IBS symptoms. This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis reviewing the current literature to evaluate the effectiveness of the FODMAP diet in patients with IBS. The goal is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how dietary strategies can be optimized in the treatment of individuals with IBS. Literature reviews indicate a limited number of recent meta-analysis studies on this topic internationally, and none in our country, highlighting the significance of this study as the first in its field. The objective is to determine the impact of the FODMAP diet on IBS symptoms and assess its efficacy in managing these symptoms by synthesizing the results of various randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis of studies demonstrates that the FODMAP diet has a statistically significant and positive effect on alleviating IBS symptoms.