P0971 Interactions between diet and mental health in the lived experience of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Greece: a qualitative study.

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) significantly affect physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Although mental health and diet have each been examined in relation to disease course, their combined influence within patients’ lived experiences remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate how individuals with IBD perceive the interaction between diet, mental health, and disease activity. Methods A qualitative cross-sectional design was used. Fourteen adults with IBD living in Greece (nine with Crohn’s disease and five with ulcerative colitis) participated in one-hour semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically to identify key patterns related to disease experience, psychological factors, and dietary practices. Results Findings revealed a dynamic triadic relationship between disease activity, mental health, and diet. Three key themes emerged: (1) Impact of disease phase on mental health and diet: Relapse led to restricted social functioning, reduced self-esteem, feelings of sadness and anxiety, and the need for immediate dietary adjustments; (2) Influence of mental health on diet and disease: Participants consistently linked stress and negative mood to worsening symptoms, and noted that psychological state influenced their dietary choices and tolerance and (3) Internal and external coping strategies: Participants managed their disease through a combination of personalized dietary and psychological strategies alongside support from family, peers, online communities, and healthcare professionals. Conclusion The study highlights the interconnected role of diet and mental health in shaping the daily experience of individuals with IBD. These findings emphasize the need for holistic, multidisciplinary care approaches that integrate psychological support with tailored dietary guidance to enhance self-management and quality of life. Conflict of interest: Strongylou, Dimitra Eleftheria: I have no conflict of interest to declare. Vlachou, Athanasia: No conflict of interest Dr. Svolos, Vaios: Vaios Svolos has received research grants from NATPROD IKE, Mendes S.A. travel grants from Nutrients MDPI, SYN Innovation Laboratories S.A. and consulting fees from Chronicles Health and Access Nutrients Inc. Vakouftsi, Vasiliki: No conflicts Ntanou, Anastasia: No conflict of interest Elli, Zoupa: No conflict of interest Argyriou, Konstantinos: No conflict of interest Kapsoritakis, Andreas: No conflict of interest Bonoti, Fotini: No conflict of interest Androutsos, Odysseas: No conflicts.