Association of the newly proposed dietary index for gut microbiota and constipation: a cross-sectional study from NHANES

Abstract

Objective: The dietary index for gut microbiota. DI-GM is an innovative metric designed to capture the diversity of the gut microbiome, yet its association with constipation remains unstudied.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 11,405 adults aged 20 and older were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2010 for the sample. Constipation was defined as fewer than three defecation frequencies per week using bowel health questionnaire (BHQ). Fewer than three bowel movements per week were considered as constipation by Bowel Health Questionnaire (BHQ). DI-GM was derived from dietary recall data, including avocado, broccoli, chickpeas, coffee, cranberries, fermented dairy, fiber, green tea, soybean and whole grains as beneficial elements, red meat, processed meat, refined grains, and high fat as detrimental components. Multivariable weighted logistic was employed to investigate the association of DI-GM with constipation. Secondary analyses included subgroup analyses, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and multiple imputation.

Results: A higher DI-GM and beneficial gut microbiota score were associated with a lower prevalence of constipation (DI-GM: OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.75, 0.90; beneficial gut microbiota score: OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.67, 0.89). After grouping DI-GM, in the fully adjusted model, participants with DI-GM ≥ 6 were significantly negatively correlated with both the prevalence of constipation (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.33, 0.71). RCS indicated a non-linear relationship between DI-GM and constipation. Subgroup analyses by age, sex and common complications showed no statistically significant interactions (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The newly proposed DI-GM was inversely related with the prevalence of constipation. When treating patients with constipation, it is necessary for clinicians to provide timely and effective dietary interventions incorporating the DI-GM for patients with constipation to avoid further deterioration of the condition.

Keywords: DI-GM; NHANES; bowel health; constipation; cross-sectional study.

FIGURE 1

Flow chart of the screening of the NHANES 2005–2010 participants.

FIGURE 2

Association between DI-GM and constipation in NHANES 2005–2010 participants by RCS. CI, confidence interval; DI-GM, dietary index for gut microbiota; NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; RCS, restricted cubic spline.

FIGURE 3

The relationship between DI_GM and constipation according to basic features. OR, odd ratio; CI, confidence interval; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DM, diabetes mellitus; Except for the stratification components itself, each stratification factor was adjusted for all other variables (age, sex, race, marital status, poverty income ratio, education level, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity time, BMI, total calories intake, cardiovascular disease, Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression).