Dietary intake of inulin-type fructans in active and inactive Crohn’s disease and healthy controls: A case-control study

Jacqueline L. Anderson, Charlotte R. Hedin, Jane L. Benjamin, Andreas Koutsoumpas, Siew C. Ng, Ailsa L. Hart, Alastair Forbes, Andrew J. Stagg, James O. Lindsay, Kevin Whelan

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Abstract

Background and Aims: Prebiotic inulin-type fructans are widely consumed in the diet and may have contrasting effects in Crohn’s disease by stimulating gut microbiota and/or by generating functional gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this study was to measure fructan and oligofructose intakes in patients with active and inactive Crohn’s disease compared with healthy controls.

Methods: Patients with active Crohn’s disease (n=98), inactive Crohn’s (n=99) and healthy controls (n=106) were recruited to a case-control study. Dietary intake of inulin-type fructans was measured using a specific food frequency questionnaire and was compared between the three groups and between patients with different disease phenotypes (Montreal classification). Associations between intakes and disease activity (Harvey Bradshaw Index, HBI) were also undertaken.

Results: Patients with active Crohn’s disease had lower fructan intakes (median 2.9 g/d, IQR 1.8) than those with inactive Crohn’s (3.6 g/d, 2.1, P=0.036) or controls (3.9 g/d, 2.1, P=0.003) and lower oligofructose intakes (2.8 g/d, 1.8) than inactive Crohn’s (3.5 g/d, 2.2, P=0.048) or controls (3.8 g/d, 2.1, P=0.003). There were no differences in intakes related to disease site or behaviour. There were negative correlations between HBI wellbeing score and fructan intake (ρ=-0.154, P=0.03) and oligofructose intake (ρ=-0.156, P=0.028) and for the HBI abdominal pain score and fructan (ρ=-0.164, P=0.021) and oligofructose intake (ρ=-0.157, P=0.027).

Conclusions: Patients with active Crohn’s disease consume lower quantities of fructans and oligofructose than their inactive counterparts and healthy controls. The impact of lower intakes of prebiotic fructans on gut microbiota are unknown and warrant further research.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1024–1031
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Crohn's & Colitis
Volume9
Issue number11
Early online date27 Jul 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2015

Keywords

  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • inulin
  • fructan
  • oligofructose
  • fructans
  • FODMAPs

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