Background & aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly gaining epidemiological ground in liver diseases. Among the proposed non-pharmacologic interventions, dietary interventions have been widely used. Several patients suffering from it complain of gastrointestinal symptoms unrelated to organic gastrointestinal tract disease. However, the role of drinking water quality modifications in this regard has not been investigated in depth. Methods: Patients with upper or lower functional gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and divided into groups based on bright liver ultrasound relief's presence (SP) or absence (NSP). These patients were asked to drink bicarbonate-sulphate-calcium-magnesium and sodium-low drinkable water (Fonte Essenziale ®) for six months. Participants were assessed at baseline (T0), at the end of six months of drinking water intake (T6), and after an additional six months of washout (T12) by questionnaires designed to evaluate lower and upper gastrointestinal symptoms (Leeds dyspepsia score, short form) severity and frequency. Results: A total of 61 patients were enrolled. In the SP population, the severity of lower gastrointestinal symptoms improved between T0–T6 (Z: −2.437; ES: 0.312) and worsened after the water washout (Z: −2.492; ES: 0.319). The same was for the Leeds score severity sub score in T0–T6 (Z: −2.850; ES: 0.364) and T6–T12 (Z: −2.921; ES: 0.374). These improvements seem unrelated to the severity of liver steatosis at baseline. Furthermore, no safety issues were recorded while taking the water nor during the six-month follow-up afterwards. Conclusion: Regular six-month intake of 400 mL of Fonte Essenziale® water was associated, in the absence of dietary regimen modifications, with an improvement in some qualitative and quantitative features of upper and lower functional gastrointestinal symptoms in both an SP and NSP sample.
The use of bicarbonate-sulphate-calcium-magnesium and sodium-low drinkable water improves functional gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A prospective study
Gravina A. G.;Pellegrino R.;Romeo M.;Ventriglia L.;Scognamiglio F.;Tuccillo C.;Loguercio C.;Federico A.
2023
Abstract
Background & aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly gaining epidemiological ground in liver diseases. Among the proposed non-pharmacologic interventions, dietary interventions have been widely used. Several patients suffering from it complain of gastrointestinal symptoms unrelated to organic gastrointestinal tract disease. However, the role of drinking water quality modifications in this regard has not been investigated in depth. Methods: Patients with upper or lower functional gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and divided into groups based on bright liver ultrasound relief's presence (SP) or absence (NSP). These patients were asked to drink bicarbonate-sulphate-calcium-magnesium and sodium-low drinkable water (Fonte Essenziale ®) for six months. Participants were assessed at baseline (T0), at the end of six months of drinking water intake (T6), and after an additional six months of washout (T12) by questionnaires designed to evaluate lower and upper gastrointestinal symptoms (Leeds dyspepsia score, short form) severity and frequency. Results: A total of 61 patients were enrolled. In the SP population, the severity of lower gastrointestinal symptoms improved between T0–T6 (Z: −2.437; ES: 0.312) and worsened after the water washout (Z: −2.492; ES: 0.319). The same was for the Leeds score severity sub score in T0–T6 (Z: −2.850; ES: 0.364) and T6–T12 (Z: −2.921; ES: 0.374). These improvements seem unrelated to the severity of liver steatosis at baseline. Furthermore, no safety issues were recorded while taking the water nor during the six-month follow-up afterwards. Conclusion: Regular six-month intake of 400 mL of Fonte Essenziale® water was associated, in the absence of dietary regimen modifications, with an improvement in some qualitative and quantitative features of upper and lower functional gastrointestinal symptoms in both an SP and NSP sample.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
