BACKGROUND & AIMS: We investigated the effects of a diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) vs traditional dietary recommendations on health-related quality of life (QOL), anxiety and depression, work productivity, and sleep quality in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea (IBS-D). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-center, single-blind trial of 92 adult patients with IBS-D (65 women; median age, 42.6 years) randomly assigned to groups placed on a diet low in FODMAPs or a modified diet recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (mNICE) for 4 weeks. IBS-associated QOL (IBS-QOL), psychosocial distress (based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), work productivity (based on the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment), and sleep quality were assessed before and after diet periods. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients completed the study (45 in the low-FODMAP group and 39 in the mNICE group). At 4 weeks, patients on the diet low in FODMAPs had a larger mean increase in IBS-QOL score than did patients on the mNICE diet (15.0 vs 5.0; 95% CI,-17.4 to-4.3). A significantly higher proportion of patients in the low-FODMAP diet group had a meaningful clinical response, based on IBS-QOL score, than in the mNICE group (52% vs 21%; 95% CI,-0.52 to-0.08). Anxiety scores decreased in the low-FODMAP diet group compared with the mNICE group (95% CI, 0.46-2.80). Activity impairment was significantly reduced with the low-FODMAP diet (-22.89) compared with the mNICE diet (-9.44; 95% CI, 2.72-24.20).

INTRODUCTION: Psyllium and prunes are proven treatments for chronic constipation (CC). Asian studies suggest that kiwifruit may also benefit CC symptoms. We report a partially randomized, comparative effectiveness trial evaluating kiwifruit, psyllium, and prunes in US patients with CC. METHODS: Adults with CC at a US medical center were randomized to 3 natural treatments. Eligible patients had ≤3 complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) per week and were partially randomized to green kiwifruit (2/d), prunes (100 g/d), or psyllium (12 g/d) for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients in each group reporting an increase of ≥1 CSBM per week compared with baseline for at least 2 of 4 treatment weeks. Key secondary outcomes included stool frequency, stool consistency, and straining assessed daily. Treatment satisfaction and adverse events (AEs) were also measured. Standard statistical methods were used, and a P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients with CC (mean age = 42.7 years, 87% female, and 77% white) were partially randomized. Complete data were available for 75 patients (kiwifruit 29, prunes 24, and psyllium 22). For the primary endpoint, proportions of CSBM responders were similar for the treatments. For secondary outcomes comparing treatment weeks 3 and 4 to baseline, there was a significant increase in weekly CSBM rate with all 3 treatments (P ≤ 0.003); stool consistency significantly improved with kiwifruit (P = 0.01) and prunes (P = 0.049); and straining significantly improved with kiwifruit (P = 0.003), prunes (P < 0.001), and psyllium (P = 0.04). Patients randomized to the kiwifruit group reported significant improvement in bloating scores (P = 0.02). AEs were most common with psyllium and least common with kiwifruit. At the end of treatment, a smaller proportion of patients were dissatisfied with kiwifruit compared with prunes or psyllium (P = 0.02). DISCUSSION: Kiwifruit, prunes, and psyllium improve constipation symptoms in patients with CC. Kiwifruit was associated with the lowest rate of AEs and dissatisfaction with therapy.

Among US gastroenterologists, OTC medications now dominate primary therapy of GERD and CC. Despite feeling that name brand and store brand PPIs and laxatives are equally effective, the majority of gastroenterologists recommend brand name medicines and underestimate the cost savings associated with store brands. In this age of accountable care, greater efforts to help physicians and patients to better utilize their health-care dollars is warranted.

This is the first scientific report describing lymphocytic colitis after administration of the Pfizer severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. The patient developed liquid stools, abdominal pain, and nausea within 24 hours of receiving the second dose. Symptoms were persistent for 3 months but improved 113 days after onset. Laboratory profiles and gastrointestinal polymerase chain reaction were normal. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy performed 98 days after onset revealed patchy erythema in the descending colon and rectosigmoid. Mucosal evaluation revealed lymphocytic colitis. Review of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System revealed 5 cases of microscopic colitis after the second mRNA dose. This report and Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System cases suggest providers should consider microscopic colitis in the differential diagnosis of patients with severe, persistent diarrhea after the SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccine.