First line diet and lifestyle intervention reduced medication use in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Rationale: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastro-intestinal disorder affecting 10-15% of the Western population1. Management includes both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment. It is estimated that 33% - 91% of patients receive a prescription for medication2. There is a dearth of research on the effect of non-pharmacological interventions on the requirement for medications. First line diet and lifestyle advice incorporates healthy eating practices, regular exercise, sleep hygiene and stress management. Our study aims to compare the use of medication in patients with IBS before and after dietitian led diet and lifestyle intervention.