Stricture Definition and Treatment (STRIDENT) Observational Study.
Inflammatory Bowel DiseasesCrohn Disease2 moreTwo thirds of patients with Crohn's disease require intestinal surgery at some time in their life. Intestinal strictures, that is narrowing of the bowel due to inflammation and scarring, are the most common reason for surgery. Despite the high frequency, associated disability, and cost there are no are no treatment strategies that aim to improve the outcome of this disease complication. The STRIDENT (stricture definition and treatment) studies aim to determine biochemical and imaging features associated with the development of strictures and in related STRIDENT studies develop strategies for treatment.
Identification of Biomarkers of Janus Kinase Inhibitor Therapy in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis...
Ulcerative ColitisThis study aims to provide new mechanistic insights into the molecular determinants of response or nonresponse to Janus Kinase inhibitor therapy and the biological heterogeneity that exists in Ulcerative Colitis. This study will include patients who are initiating Janus Kinase inhibitor therapy according to standard of care. This study consists of: Part 1: 8 or 10 week induction therapy followed by an 8-week maintenance therapy Part 2: Patients who continue Janus Kinas inhibitor therapy after part 1 will be followed further for a total of 2 years, or until discontinuation of Janus Kinase inhibitor therapy (whichever is first)
Colon Capsule Endoscopy Versus Standard Colonoscopy in Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative ColitisThe dimension of diagnostic procedures and therapy of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases largely depends on the degree of mucosal inflammation. Video colonoscopy is currently the gold standard in the evaluation of the mucosa in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). PillCam Colon Capsule was developed by Given Imaging, Israel, as possible alternative imaging modality to evaluate mucosal changes in patients with UC. The colonic mucosa can be visualized and recorded by video while the colon capsule passes the colon. Many patients suffering from UC ask their physician for possible alternative diagnostic imaging because they are uncomfortable with conventional colonoscopy. The primary aim of the present study is to compare the new Pillcam Colon Capsule with standard colonoscopy with respect to assessing mucosal disease activity and localization of inflamed colonic mucosa in patients with known UC.
Counseling to Optimize Adherence in Expectant Mothers With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel DiseasesMedication Adherence2 moreInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that comprises two subtypes, Crohn's disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Because the risk of IBD is greatest during the third decade of life, its impact for women is during the reproductive years. Women with inflammatory bowel disease are at a 2-fold higher risk of adverse outcomes during pregnancy as compared to the general population. Pregnancy is an especially vulnerable time for women with IBD, and out of misguided concerns that medications may confer unnecessary harms to their fetus, many women often stop taking life savings medications; without realizing that this sub-optimal adherence could actually lead to life threatening complications for them and their fetus. Counseling pregnant women with IBD is therefore an important step in improving medication adherence. The investigators hypothesize that counseling sessions with an IBD nurse that incorporates motivational interviewing and telemedicine-based follow-up sessions tailored to individual needs will improve medication adherence and pregnancy outcomes. The following specific aims are to be addressed by this multi-center randomized clinical trial comparing individual nurse-based counseling to standard of care: Specific Aim #1: To assess whether patient-centered counseling incorporating motivational interviewing and telemedicine-based follow-up by an IBD nurse leads to improved medication adherence during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes Specific Aim #2: To validate the use of self-reported medication adherence during pregnancy in the IBD population
Study of Inflammatory Markers (VNN1) in Crohn Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)Inflammatory Bowel diseases (IBD) include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD's precise origin is unknown until now. Today, the current hypothesis of the disease pathogenesis is that IBD result from a dysregulated mucosal immune response to the gut microbial flora in genetically susceptible hosts. The intestinal homeostasis depends on interactions between immune and epithelial cells. Epithelial cells are the first line of defense, are tightly connected to the underlying gut associated lymphoid tissue and their alteration results in loss of tissue homeostasis. Vanin-1 (Vnn1 in mice, VNN1 in humans) is an epithelial pantheinase which regulates the cell response to stress. This ectoenzyme hydrolyses the vitamin B5-derivative pantetheine to provide cysteamine to tissues and regenerate pantothenate. Previous studies have shown that Vnn1 KO mice were more resistant to experimental colitis and administration of cystamine (oxidized form of cysteamine) restored their susceptibility to colitis. Furthermore, analysis of VNN1 expression in IBD patients show that high VNN1 expression is associated with severe clinical features. Thus, analysis of VNN1 expression could represent a good prognostic marker. In a recent published article, we characterized among a retrospective cohort of 500 IBD patients and controls new SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the VNN1 promoter and showed their association with IBD incidence and high VNN1 expression. This suggested that the VNN1gene might be a new predisposition marker of IBD. In mouse, Vnn1 expression is tightly regulated by activation of PPARa and PPARg transcription factors. Interestingly, one of the SNPs identified in patients participates to a PPARg binding site. Interestingly, drugs related to the family of 5-ASA which are commonly used in IBD, have PPARgamma agonist potential. Therefore, quantifying VNN1 levels in patients under 5-ASA therapy might help predicting response to therapy and select patients with the highest benefit for this therapy. The purpose of this new project is to extend our initial analysis. The study will be prospective, monocentric and controlled. Its primary objective is to evaluate the level of VNN1 expression in the colonic mucosa between IBD patients and control subjects to confirm the correlation between high VNN1 expression and IBD. In relation with its prospective nature, we will also try to associate VNN1 expression level with specific endophenotypes (severity and/or localization of the lesions, quality of the response to therapy). Finally, we will screen patients for the previously identified SNPs to integrate this information in the interpretation of the results of expression analysis. This study is planned on 2 years. Two groups of patients will be constituted: one group will include IBD patients followed in the " Service de Gastro-entérologie du Pr Grimaud à l'Hôpital Nord " and the other group will constitute the control cohort including persons who were proposed a screening colonoscopy for familial history of colon cancer or polyps, or for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The investigator will have to fill a questionnaire for each included patient, collecting information about age, sex, past medical history, taken medicine, digestive symptoms and colonoscopy indication. IBD patients will have a first set of biopsies (n = 10) and blood samples collected under general anesthesia during a colonoscopy planned in their IBD usual follow-up; a second set of similar samples will be collected within the next 12 months if an endoscopic control is medically justified. The control subjects will have only one set of biopsy and blood samples collected under general anesthesia during their colonoscopy. In the particular case of IBD patients who require surgery, a small piece of the resection will be collected ex-vivo on both healthy and pathologic areas. The blood sample will serve for quantification of the VNN1 seric pantheteinase activity and SNP's genetic study. The colonic biopsies will be obtained in duplicates from 5 different ileocolonic areas, one for histopathological analysis and the other for transcriptional analysis by qRT-PCR. The surgical samples will be used for transcriptional activity, tissue pantheteinase activity and constitution of TMA (Tissue MicroArrays) bank for immunohistochemistry. Expected benefits are to validate a new IBD prognostic marker for disease severity or potentially for evaluation of the therapeutic response.
Digital Nutrition Therapy for Patients With IBD
Crohn DiseaseUlcerative ColitisBackground: Alberta's Center of Excellence for Nutrition in Digestive Diseases (Ascend) is dedicated to generating new discoveries regarding the link between nutrition and digestive diseases and mobilizing existing research to change the way physicians treat conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, cirrhosis and intestinal failure. Ascend is a collaboration of excellence within the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology at both the University of Calgary and University of Alberta. Dr. Raman, PI, is the Director of Ascend. One of Ascend's primary initiatives is the development of a digital health platform for patients living with both Crohn's disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). Dr. Raman and her team have developed an app called LyfeMD, by translating leading scientific research into a practical and engaging digital format. LyfeMD is meant to help people live and thrive while managing their inflammatory disease with holistic, easy-to-implement, evidence based lifestyle therapies. LyfeMD is one app with multiple features - ranging from customized diet using anti-inflammatory principles identified from recent research led by Dr. Raman's team, and exercise plans to mindfulness and stress reduction programs. It helps patients make therapeutic diet choices to treat inflammation and provides stress reduction strategies when they feel unwell. The LyfeMD app also supports patients to maintain remission even when they're feeling well with trusted resources designed to keep them symptom free. In addition to delivering personalized and interactive support, the app uses behavior science to help patients change their habits, improve their health and reduce the burden IBD places on their lives. With proprietary research and a team made up of internationally recognized leaders in the gastrointestinal field, LyfeMD is poised to be the trusted digital health solution for people living with IBD.
Prevention of Readmissions at IBD Centres of Excellence
ColitisUlcerative2 morePatients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are frequently hospitalized, with an increased risk of repeat hospitalizations within the same calendar year. Given that hospital readmissions represent a significant burden to patients and the health care system, a standardised pathway for IBD patients discharged from the hospital can have a significant impact on reducing readmission rates, healthcare utilization and patient satisfaction. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an IBD post-discharge pathway, involving post-discharge nurse follow-up and electronic monitoring, in reducing IBD readmission rates.
Decentralized Dietary UC Pilot Trial
ColitisUlcerativeThis study is designed to assess differences in remote and on-site patient study participation in the State of Massachusetts, as well as the significance of dietary interventions and their impact on UC. The study will activate one site with a Principal Investigator who will utilize each subject's local care system (local Gastroenterologist) to collect study data, along with telemonitoring and video visits, to make key study assessments and decisions regarding subjects' progression in the study.
Amino Acids in Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative ColitisThe detrimental effects of catabolism, insuline resistance and muscle wasting on surgical outcome is wellknown. This catabolism is especially pronounced in patients with acute or chronic inflammation (IBD, cancer) and for those undergoing major surgery. Patients with ulcerative colitis operated with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (j-pouch) fall well into both these categories. To prevent this undesirable catabolism, we will investigate the effects of intravenous administration of predominantly anabolic amino acids (with an amino acid content equal to breast milk) on whole body metabolism, with special emphasis on muscle and fat metabolism and intracellular signalling pathways. Twenty-four patients will be block-randomized by gender in this parallel-group, randomized, assessor-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to receive either Vaminolac® (Fresenius Kabi) or saline. Metabolism before and after the intervention will be assessed by palmitate- and amino acid kinetics of radioactively labelled tracers, while muscle and fat biopsies will be analyzed for differences in intracellular signaling pathways (PI3 kinase, Akt, etc.) as a measure of cellular activity. With this study we hope to find evidence for anabolic effects of intravenous amino acids in j-pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis. The perspective is a potential for primary prophylaxis of surgical complications, reduction in the length of hospitalization, and subsequently optimized long-term functional outcome of the pouch.
Monocultivar Coratina Extra Virgin Olive Oil in UC Patients
Ulcerative Colitis Chronic MildEpidemiological studies suggest that daily intake of fruits and vegetables high in polyphenols or the addition of olive oil containing many polyphenols is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory bowel conditions. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the administration of a diet associated with daily intake of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) reduces histological lesions and symptomatology in rats with a dextran sulfate sodium (DDS) induced colitis. A diet supplemented with hydroxytyrosol (a component of olive oil) showed a reduction of the inflammatory process at the inflamed colon of the rats.