Relationship Between Diet Quality and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies Publisher Pubmed



Karimi P ; Ramezani E ; Dehghani S ; Shirkoohi NM ; Movahedi A ; Masoumvand M ; Esfehani AJ
Source: BMC Gastroenterology Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a prevalent digestive disorder, influenced by various factors, particularly dietary choices and overall diet quality. Various indices assess diet quality, yet their correlation with IBD severity and symptoms remains uncertain. This systematic review examines the relationship between IBD and diet quality, as measured by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and Diet Quality Index (DQI). Methods: Observational studies investigating the association of DII, HEI, and DQI with IBD risk, severity, symptoms, quality of life, body composition, serum calprotectin, and inflammatory markers were selected without date or geographic restrictions. A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted on February 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Results: The search yielded 6,995 articles, of which 14 observational studies (comprising 129,465 adults living with IBD) met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies examined DII, five assessed HEI, one analyzed both DII and HEI, and one investigated DQI in people with IBD. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a lower dietary inflammatory load (as indicated by DII) is associated with reduced IBD risk, severity, and symptoms, alongside improved quality of life. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of DII, HEI, and DQI in managing IBD management. © The Author(s) 2025.