Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition characterized by pelvic pain coupled with urinary frequency and urgency. The underlying cause of IC/BPS is unknown; there is no cure. Dietary components exacerbate symptoms. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Interstitial Cystitis (AID-IC) employs a randomized, crossover design to evaluate the effect of a plant-based, low saturated fat diet on the quality of life of women with IC/BPS. Insights on the implementation of the protocol and reflections on the facilitators and barriers experienced during the pilot study follow. The logistics of the protocol proved time-consuming; however, the barriers were surmountable. Quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that the AID-IC therapeutic diet may have lessened symptoms and improved the quality of life for many of the women in the study.
Methods and protocols. 2022 May 18*** epublish ***
Barbara Gordon, Cynthia Blanton, Rebekah Ramsey, Andrea Jeffery, Laura Richey, Rachel Hulse
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Idaho State University, 1311 E Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642, USA., Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Idaho State University, 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA.