Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42451040›Full record

ReviewNutrients2026

A Patient-Centered Ethical Framework for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Care: Communication, Trust, Nutrition-Sensitive Care, and Self-Management.

Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Ploutarchos Pastras, Alexandra K Tsaroucha, Christos Triantos

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nutrients, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Ioanna AggeletopoulouDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-4489-1485
Ploutarchos PastrasDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.ORCID 0009-0001-7790-7845
Alexandra K TsarouchaLaboratory of Bioethics, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Christos TriantosDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-3094-8209

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent disorder of gut-brain interaction, characterized by a substantial symptom burden, impaired quality of life, and increased healthcare use. Despite advances in diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies, many patients feel dismissed, inadequately informed, or uncertain about the nature and meaning of their symptoms; these experiences may undermine trust and reduce engagement with healthcare professionals. The aim of this narrative review is to synthesize clinical and ethical considerations and propose a patient-centered ethical framework for IBS management, positioning communication as a core therapeutic intervention. We highlight how validation, clear and non-stigmatizing explanations, transparency about uncertainty, and recognition of patient values can strengthen the therapeutic alliance, support relational autonomy, and enable shared decision-making. These elements can promote supported self-management and improve adherence to individualized dietary, behavioral, and pharmacologic strategies. In response to the central role of nutrition in IBS care, we further integrate dietary management into the ethical framework, addressing dietary assessment, first-line dietary advice, soluble fiber, the structured low-FODMAP approach, and the risks of excessive or unsupported food restriction. We further discuss how the incorporation of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can translate patient priorities into measurable outcomes, monitor clinically meaningful changes over time, and reduce discrepancies between clinical assessment and patients' lived experiences. Finally, we underscore the impact of stigma and uncertainty and provide practical communication approaches to support a stronger therapeutic alliance in IBS care. The integration of ethical communication, PROs, and nutrition-sensitive self-management may improve patient experience, strengthen adherence, and support individualized therapeutic strategies in IBS care.

Indexed as

CommunicationIrritable Bowel SyndromePatient-Centered CareSelf-ManagementDecision Making, SharedHumansQuality of LifeTrustdietary interventionsethical communicationirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)low-FODMAP dietnutritional managementpatient-centered carerelational autonomyself-managementshared decision-makingtherapeutic alliancetrust

Identifiers

PMID42451040
PMCPMC13362977

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.