Elemental Diet Reduces Repeat Surgery Likelihood in Crohn's Disease
Overview
Repeat surgery is a concern for people with Crohn’s disease. One review found that about half of patients may need another operation within 10 years of their first surgery. Some frequently prescribed medications may also become less effective over time, leading researchers to study other ways to help manage the disease.
A study in adults with Crohn’s Disease published in Surgery Today in 2021 examined whether elemental diets and certain medications were associated with a longer time before repeat surgery. Researchers at the University of Tokyo and Yokoyama hospitals in Nagoya reviewed the medical records of 37 patients over a follow-up of about 4.7 years.
Key Findings
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An elemental diet of at least 900 calories per day was associated with a 70% lower likelihood of repeat surgery.
When comparing elemental diet use to traditional interventions like thiopurines and anti-TNF biologics, elemental diets and thiopurines showed a lower likelihood of repeat surgery compared to those who did neither.
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The amount of elemental diet mattered.
The strongest link was seen among patients who consumed at least 1,200 calories per day from an elemental diet. The researchers also identified 900 calories per day as a possible target based on earlier research.
Why It Matters
Repeat surgery remains a concern for people with Crohn’s disease. This study adds to the research on whether elemental diets may help manage the disease after surgery.
The amount of elemental nutrition may matter. The study found a link between daily intake of at least 900 calories from an elemental diet and a lower risk of repeat surgery. However, the study was small, and more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the ideal amount for patients.
Elemental diets are typically hard to follow because of taste and ease of use. If these products are used to provide a large part of daily calories, they need to be practical for patients to use. This makes taste and ease of use important factors to consider in future research.
Shinozaki M, Yokoyama T, Saigusa N, Sato H, Yazawa K, Tsurita G, Kurokawa T, Hata K, Yokoyama Y. Elemental diet therapy plays a significant role in preventing surgical recurrence of Crohn's disease in the era of biologics. Surgery Today. 2021;51:250–257. doi:10.1007/s00595-020-02112-5*
The study used an elemental diet that was not mBIOTA Elemental™. It adds to the broader evidence base for elemental diets, and informs where we can further the research in the future. mBIOTA has been studied for the dietary management of SIBO and IMO in our clinical trial, but more research is needed to understand whether elemental diets may also have a role in Crohn’s disease care.
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