Nutritional practices and dietetic provision in the endometriosis population, with a focus on functional gut symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common condition causing chronic pain, fatigue and gut symptoms. Research suggests that dietary changes may improve symptoms; however, evidence is lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional practices and needs of individuals with endometriosis (IWE) and the management of endometriosis by dietitians in the UK, focusing on gut symptoms. METHODS: Two online questionnaires were distributed via social media: a survey of dietitians working with IWE and functional gut symptoms and a survey of IWE. RESULTS: All respondents to the dietitian survey (n = 21) used the low fermentable oligosaccharides disaccharides monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet in IWE, with the majority 69.3% (n = 14), reporting positive adherence and patient benefit. Dietitians recommended more training (85.7%, n = 18) and resources (81%, n = 17) for IWE. Of those who completed the IWE questionnaire (n = 1385), 38.5% (n = 533) had coexisting irritable bowel syndrome. Only 24.1% (n = 330) had satisfactory relief of gut symptoms. The most common symptoms were tiredness, bloating and abdominal pain, experienced by 85.5% (n = 1163), 75.3% (n = 1025) and 67.3% (n = 917), respectively. Some 52.2% (n = 723) had tried dietary modifications to relieve their gut symptoms; 36.7% (n = 500) ate a restricted diet at present; 13.5% (n = 184) experienced recent unintentional weight loss and 29.8% (n = 407) a decreased appetite Some 13.2% (n = 183) had seen a dietitian regarding their gut symptoms. Of those who had not seen a dietitian, 57.7% (n = 693) would find it useful to. CONCLUSIONS: Gut symptoms and dietary restriction are very common in IWE; however, dietetic input is not. More research on the role of nutrition and dietetics in the management of endometriosis is recommended.

Development of a nutrition screening tool to identify need for dietetic intervention in female infertility.

BACKGROUND: One in seven couples are impacted by infertility in the UK, and female infertility is often associated with several health conditions impacted by nutrition. Despite many studies aimed at identifying the critical role of nutrition in infertility, there is currently no screening tool that identifies nutritional risk factors for infertility. AIM: To propose a self-administered screening tool to identify women who would benefit from nutritional intervention to promote fertility. METHODS: A narrative review was carried out to identify and summarise modifiable nutritional risk factors that can influence female fertility, including comorbidities that can influence nutrition intake, absorption, and metabolism. KEY FINDINGS: A nutrition screening tool outlining modifiable nutrition risk factors potentially improving female fertility has been proposed, comprising of BMI, medical history and quality of diet and lifestyle which would aid in designing evidence based dietetic services for female infertility.