Work

Dietary management of functional bowel disorders in outpatient clinics: A retrospective audit

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BackgroundDietary interventions for managing functional bowel disorders are numerous and varied.AimTo describe service utilisation patterns and dietary care offered to patients with functional bowel disorders in an outpatient dietetics clinic.MethodsA retrospective clinical audit of adults (n = 30) with a functional bowel disorder. Patient characteristics, dietary interventions and service-related indicators were extracted from patient records.SummaryMost patients were female (93%) and aged under 35 years (67%). The wait time to see a dietitian was 4 months and patients were in the service for 20 months. All patients received dietary education, half received artificial nutrition, 40% were recommended supplements, and 30% advised on behavioural modifications. Only one patient was discharged due to the resolution of symptoms following dietetic involvement. This may have been due to the small sample size and focus on symptom resolution rather than a range of outcome measures such as quality of life. Novel interventions for this cohort are warranted.

Source: Nutrition and Health

DOI: 10.1177/02601060261462770

Authors: Shannon Morley, Jennifer Utter

Institutions: Mater Health Services, Bond University

Language: English

Topic: Gastrointestinal motility and disorders

Subfield: Gastroenterology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900