Objectives 

Dietary fibre intake levels in UK adults are not currently meeting the recommended 30g per day guidance(1). Individuals are encouraged to increase their fibre intake, however, this may result in an increase in digestive symptoms in some people(2). We aimed to explore current experiences of digestive symptoms in the UK adult population and determine associations with lifestyle, diet and  demographic factors. 

Methods 

An online self-administered survey was developed using an online tool (Online Surveys), and participants were recruited via social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, forums and via word of mouth. Statistical analysis of binary or categorical data (chi squared tests) was carried out using SPSS.  

Results 

The survey was completed by 238 individuals aged 18-82 years (median = 34.5); 77% female, 22% male and 1% other. At least 1 digestive symptom was reported by 81% of respondents in the previous 4 weeks. For 91% of respondents this was their normal experience of digestive symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms were flatulence (67%), abdominal bloating (58%) and borborygmi (54%). The number of different symptoms experienced by females (median = 5) in the previous 4 weeks was significantly greater than males (median = 1) (p<0.001). Significantly more females (32%) rated symptoms as severe compared to males (13%) (p<0.05). Those who ate ≥5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day rated symptom bother as lower (median = 3 (out of 10)) than those who reported eating <5 portions (median = 5) (p<0.05). The lifestyle factors most commonly reported as perceived causes of digestive symptoms were work stress (38%), personal life stress (37%) and eating too fast (32%). When asked whether digestive symptoms ever negatively impact their life 47% of respondents answered yes. Energy levels (13%) and diet (12%) were most commonly identified as often being negatively impacted by digestive symptoms followed by body image (11%), daily activities, leisure activities and social life (all 8%). Significantly more females reported that digestive symptoms had a negative impact on social life (n=20), body image (n=27) and energy levels (n=30) than males (n=1, 2 and 2 respectively) (p<0.05). 

Conclusions 

Digestive symptoms were common among the respondents of this survey, and the results in relation to the female experience of digestive symptoms support previous research findings(3). The results highlight the multifactorial influences that contribute to digestive symptoms and the impacts they can have on those who experience them.

Digestive symptoms, diet and demographics in UK adults

The gastrointestinal tract is amongst the most densely populated ecosystems on earth, home to an abundant and diverse collection of microbial species, not just bacteria but also Archaea, viruses, fungi etc. Significant interest in this area has been sparked in recent years by an appreciation of the importance of the gut microbiota in the health of the host, and this has led to the microbiome of humans and animals being investigated in depth. Studies have drawn links between host nutrition, the gut microbiota and metabolic and immune functions, which in consequence affect physiology.



The first investigations of the structure of the microbiota were culture-based, however the introduction of sequencing technologies such as Sanger sequencing and subsequent development of 454 sequencing and metagenomics approaches have become the mainstay of microbiota studies. The creation of reference databases and analysis software has provided invaluable tools for assigning taxonomy to generated data. Great progress in characterising the structure of the microbiome recently has paved the way for ongoing and future studies on the functional interactions between the microbiota and the host. Studies on the function of the microbiota are critical in understanding the role of the microbiota in human homeostasis and disease pathogenesis.



The conference will be presenting the latest advancements in gut microbiome and health research. It will bring together experts who are driving technological advancements and striving to understand how nutrition impacts gut microbiome and the interactions between gut microbiome and health.



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