Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a group of chronic and relapsing diseases that can be associated with poor nutrient absorption. Despite the rise in biologics, there are patients unable to maintain remission. Hence there is a rising interest for medical foods- defined by the FDA as a food product used for the dietary management of a disease under medical supervision. Given that physician awareness of medical foods remains uncertain, patients are turning to internet-based search engines for information. Our aim is to investigate the type and accuracy of online information regarding Medical Foods. Using Google, we analyzed the first 100 websites searching the phrase “Medical Foods and IBD.” Sites were categorized as academic (journal/abstract), commercial (products for sale), informational (leaflets) or personal (blogs). Then further categorized by intended audience (professional or nonprofessional). Inclusion criteria for accuracy included the FDA approved definition, any of the four evidence-based medical foods (VSL#3, Vivonex, Modulen IBD, Enteragam) or enteral feeds. Inclusion criteria for professional category was material for clinicians. Of the first 100 results, 69% of websites were informational, 7% academic, 9% commercial, and 5% personal (Table 1). 17% were designed for a professional audience. Only 25 of the first 100 sites accurately met inclusion criteria for Medical Foods. Of the accurate, 36% informational, 32% were academic, 28% commercial, and 4% personal (Figure 1). 8 (32%) catered to professionals. Our results demonstrate lack of accurate online information regarding Medical Foods as therapeutic options for IBD. Furthermore, a disproportionate amount of accurate websites were academic. The dearth of factual websites creates a barrier for both patients and clinicians to make informed decisions on the use of Medical Foods in IBD. We advocate for more sources that use patient-centered language to accurately educate patients about Medical Foods.
