S1916 The Mediterranean Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Efficacy

Introduction: Environmental and dietary factors significantly influence the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Mediterranean diet (MD), characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and low intake of processed foods and sugars, is frequently recommended as adjunctive therapy. The American Gastroenterological Association includes MD in its guidelines for managing Crohn's disease (CD); however, the strength of the recommendation is low due to the DINE-CD trial, which did not demonstrate superiority of MD compared to the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD). This meta-analysis aims to enhance current data by evaluating existing research on dietary management in ulcerative colitis (UC) and assessing the effectiveness of MD in achieving symptomatic remission or improvement in IBD patients compared to other dietary interventions. Methods: Following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the MD to alternative dietary interventions in IBD patients were identified through comprehensive database searches up to October 2024. Data were analyzed using RevMan Web, employing a random-effects model. Results: Four RCTs involving a total of 339 IBD patients were included in this analysis. Among these, 167 patients (including those with UC and CD) received the Mediterranean diet, while 172 followed non-Mediterranean diets (NMD). The MD was associated with a statistically significant improvement in clinical remission compared to NMD (RR 1.18, P = 0.02). When compared specifically to a regular diet, MD significantly reduced both CRP levels (MD -2.66, P < 0.00001) and fecal calprotectin (MD -229.46, P = 0.008). Specifically, within the UC population, MD significantly decreased CRP and fecal calprotectin levels. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the Mediterranean diet provides significant benefits in managing IBD, particularly for UC patients, as demonstrated by notable reductions in CRP and fecal calprotectin levels. However, similar benefits in patients with CD remain less clear despite previous evidence of symptomatic improvement. Although MD shows superiority over regular diets, its relative advantage compared to other specialized diets, such as the SCD, remains uncertain. Variability among studies and adherence challenges complicate these comparisons. Future research should aim to identify specific patient subgroups most likely to benefit from MD and strategies to enhance adherence.