A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiences

Abstract Background Insights into the immunological role of the gastrointestinal tract in autoimmune conditions have led to the investigation of diet as a potential adjunctive treatment option for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) has shown promising results....

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Naima Hagström, Elin Lövestam, Afsaneh Koochek, Lillemor Berntson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-10-01
Series:Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12969-023-00914-8
_version_ 1797453631121784832
author Naima Hagström
Elin Lövestam
Afsaneh Koochek
Lillemor Berntson
author_facet Naima Hagström
Elin Lövestam
Afsaneh Koochek
Lillemor Berntson
author_sort Naima Hagström
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Insights into the immunological role of the gastrointestinal tract in autoimmune conditions have led to the investigation of diet as a potential adjunctive treatment option for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) has shown promising results. However, studies on participants’ experiences of dietary interventions in JIA are rare. In this study we investigated the experiences of children and parents’ who had participated in a four-week intervention with SCD aiming to examine the potential anti-inflammatory effects. Objectives To conduct a qualitative evaluation exploring children’s and parents’ experiences of the dietary intervention, how they navigated challenges, and their support requirements. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 children and 15 parents from 13 families, who were interviewed individually and together. The transcripts were analysed using systematic text condensation. Results Most participants interviewed found the intervention beneficial, with 12 out of 13 reporting positive effects, such as reduced pain and morning stiffness, and improved gastrointestinal function. Many participants reported being willing to repeat the intervention in the current form. Despite facing challenges, all children followed the diet for one to three months, with some continuing to follow a modified version. Facing the socio-emotional consequences of adhering to the diet was challenging for children. These were handled by focusing on the positive aspects and by relying on the supportive environment available. Parents struggled with practical issues since the diet required hard work, time, and money. Areas identified as requiring additional support include finding simple, quick, and child-friendly solutions, strengthening organizational food skills such as meal planning, and preparation prior to starting the intervention regarding socio-emotional aspects. Conclusion Navigating the dietary treatment was considered challenging, practically for the parents and socio-emotionally for the children. Based on the reported challenges and participants’ suggestions the intervention could be optimised by providing support and solutions in relation to the practical issues and better preparation regarding dealing with the socio-emotional consequences. Despite the difficulties, the participants reported overall positive experiences of, and attitudes towards, the current setup. Consequently, dietary interventions, such as the SCD, may be regarded as suitable targets for further research.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T15:24:41Z
format Article
id doaj.art-be1d01fa991d4857a13f9c2e5d647ddf
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1546-0096
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T15:24:41Z
publishDate 2023-10-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal
spelling doaj.art-be1d01fa991d4857a13f9c2e5d647ddf2023-11-26T12:35:55ZengBMCPediatric Rheumatology Online Journal1546-00962023-10-0121111110.1186/s12969-023-00914-8A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiencesNaima Hagström0Elin Lövestam1Afsaneh Koochek2Lillemor Berntson3Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Background Insights into the immunological role of the gastrointestinal tract in autoimmune conditions have led to the investigation of diet as a potential adjunctive treatment option for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) has shown promising results. However, studies on participants’ experiences of dietary interventions in JIA are rare. In this study we investigated the experiences of children and parents’ who had participated in a four-week intervention with SCD aiming to examine the potential anti-inflammatory effects. Objectives To conduct a qualitative evaluation exploring children’s and parents’ experiences of the dietary intervention, how they navigated challenges, and their support requirements. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 children and 15 parents from 13 families, who were interviewed individually and together. The transcripts were analysed using systematic text condensation. Results Most participants interviewed found the intervention beneficial, with 12 out of 13 reporting positive effects, such as reduced pain and morning stiffness, and improved gastrointestinal function. Many participants reported being willing to repeat the intervention in the current form. Despite facing challenges, all children followed the diet for one to three months, with some continuing to follow a modified version. Facing the socio-emotional consequences of adhering to the diet was challenging for children. These were handled by focusing on the positive aspects and by relying on the supportive environment available. Parents struggled with practical issues since the diet required hard work, time, and money. Areas identified as requiring additional support include finding simple, quick, and child-friendly solutions, strengthening organizational food skills such as meal planning, and preparation prior to starting the intervention regarding socio-emotional aspects. Conclusion Navigating the dietary treatment was considered challenging, practically for the parents and socio-emotionally for the children. Based on the reported challenges and participants’ suggestions the intervention could be optimised by providing support and solutions in relation to the practical issues and better preparation regarding dealing with the socio-emotional consequences. Despite the difficulties, the participants reported overall positive experiences of, and attitudes towards, the current setup. Consequently, dietary interventions, such as the SCD, may be regarded as suitable targets for further research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12969-023-00914-8ArthritisJuvenile idiopathicDiet TherapyQualitative researchSpecific Carbohydrate Diet
spellingShingle Naima Hagström
Elin Lövestam
Afsaneh Koochek
Lillemor Berntson
A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiences
Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal
Arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic
Diet Therapy
Qualitative research
Specific Carbohydrate Diet
title A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiences
title_full A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiences
title_fullStr A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiences
title_full_unstemmed A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiences
title_short A qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children’s and parents’ experiences
title_sort qualitative evaluation of the specific carbohydrate diet for juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on children s and parents experiences
topic Arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic
Diet Therapy
Qualitative research
Specific Carbohydrate Diet
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12969-023-00914-8
work_keys_str_mv AT naimahagstrom aqualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences
AT elinlovestam aqualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences
AT afsanehkoochek aqualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences
AT lillemorberntson aqualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences
AT naimahagstrom qualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences
AT elinlovestam qualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences
AT afsanehkoochek qualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences
AT lillemorberntson qualitativeevaluationofthespecificcarbohydratedietforjuvenileidiopathicarthritisbasedonchildrensandparentsexperiences