EFFICACY OF DIETARY, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND MICROBIOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Aim. To systematically compare the effectiveness of dietary, psychological, and microbiota-based therapies in IBS patients based on meta-analyses published from 2015 to 2025. Material and methods. Systematic search of PubMed for meta-analyses on IBS treatment, including dietary, psychological, and microbiological interventions; inclusion criteria: meta-analyses of RCTs involving adult patients diagnosed with IBS (Rome III/IV). Results. Dietary interventions, especially low-FODMAP diet, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed the highest efficacy. Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) presented variable outcomes. Conclusions. Integrated treatment strategies combining dietary and psychological approaches appear most effective. Further research is needed on microbiota modulation.