Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms before and during Steady Intake of a Fiber Supplement or Placebo over Time
Only one symptom had a greater likelihood of occurring in one of the dietary fiber groups than the placebo group. A greater feeling of fullness was about twice as likely to occur in the psyllium group compared to the placebo group. There was no significant difference in the severity of other symptoms among fiber groups.
Symptoms during Incremental Dosing of Dietary Fiber
In a second model, symptoms that occurred during the Incremental Dosing segment were compared among supplement groups. Adjusting for study segment and day, there was no difference in symptom severity among the groups. Controlling for group and study segment, the likelihood of a greater feeling of fullness (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.009 – 1.100, p < .019) and bloating (OR = 1.06, CI = 1.016 – 1.116, p < .009) increased by about .05% each day compared to the previous day in a segment.
Symptom Severity and Emotional Upset
There was a significant association between the severity of a specific symptom and emotional upset about that symptom. Figure 2 illustrates this relationship using four of the more common symptoms. There was a strong and positive relationship between emotional upset with the symptom and the severity of bloating or feeling of fullness; the relationship was moderate for flatus and belching (Figure 2).