
Ulcerative Colitis Relapse Prevention by Prebiotics
Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing chronic intestinal inflammation with no existing cure, that affects over 300 per 100.000 Canadians, the highest prevalence in the world. The standard drug therapies are expensive and potentially toxic, and mostly directed against the chronic inflammatory process. UC is the result of a dysbiosis between disease-inducing and protective intestinal bacteria in a genetically susceptible host. Non-digestible dietary carbohydrates (NDC) stimulate the growth of protective endogenous intestinal bacteria which ferment them into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), some of the latter with natural anti-inflammatory properties, and are called prebiotics. The investigator was the first to report that oral intake of NDC, the dietary β-fructans inulin plus fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), reduced colitis in a genetically-induced rat colitis model. Both inulin and FOS reduced colitis, each NDC modifying specific luminal microbiota. A small trial with the same mixture of NDC in patients with active UC relapsing on oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) showed a dose-dependent clinical response, confirming the translational potential of this NDC mixture. The investigators propose a randomized placebo-controlled trial to assess if inulin plus FOS can also prevent such relapses in UC patients with inactive disease on stable maintenance drugs. Primary hypothesis is that inulin plus FOS is effective adjunct therapy to standard drugs for maintaining clinical remission. The second hypothesis is that the colonic microflora and its metabolic function, altered by inulin plus FOS, or not, mediate protection or relapse in UC. The longitudinal design of this maintenance prevention study and by serially collecting colon biopsies, stool, serum and urine within the same patient before a relapse (inflammation) occurs, would enable to identify unique changes in the intestinal microbiota, their metabolic functions and also assess effects on host-immune response that are associated with remission or before a relapse occurs during treatment with beta-fructans, or not.

Phase 4, Vedolizumab-4002 Post-marketing, Disease-Drug-Drug Interaction Study
ColitisUlcerative1 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate in a step-wise approach the disease drug-drug interaction (DDI) potential for vedolizumab to indirectly affect the exposure of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) substrate drugs by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in participants with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) who are treated with vedolizumab.

Leptospermum Scoparium Honey and Wound Care for Pressure Ulcers
Pressure UlcersThe investigators hypothesize that the use of leptospermum scoparium honey as a type of dressing and/or debridement agent on stage III or IV pressure ulcers has an increased efficacy and safety compared to the current treatment protocol that includes the use of hydrogel/Vaseline, collagenase, and silver alginate dressings as the standard of care. Utilizing a non-inferiority trial, it is expected that the use of leptospermum scoparium as a treatment for Stage III and Stage IV pressure ulcers will not be inferior to the comparison treatment of standard of care wound dressings. Moreover, this research design will enable the research team to determine if the honey based dressings are equivalent to or superior to the comparison treatment. Therefore, the investigators specific study objectives are as follows: Primary Objectives: Determine if the use of honey as an alternative treatment will reduce site inflammation/irritation and pain associated with pressure ulcers compared to the standard treatment options. Specifically, the investigators will monitor patient PUSH scores, Braden Risk Scale scores, granulation and/or epithelial tissue progression, length of time to heal, patient pain assessments via the Wong Baker Face or Numeric Scale, wound odors, and incidence of adverse events (measured by allergies, stinging sensations, bacterial infections that warrant antibiotic intervention, etc.). Secondary Objective: Patients in the honey treatment group will have lower costs per healed ulcer than patients in the standard collagenase treatment group.

Pressure Ulcer Prevention: a Turn and Positioning System Combined With Incontinence Care and Tailored/Standard...
Pressure UlcersIncontinence-associated DermatitisThe prevalence of pressure ulcer in hospitals is 7,3% - 23%. The primary etiological factors are pressure or pressure combined with shear. Prevention is very important and comprises: preventive skin care including cleansing and protecting the skin from exposure to moisture, the systematic repositioning of the patient, the offloading of the heels from the surface of the bed, the use of adequate bed support surfaces and an adequate nutritional status. The development and implementation of a risk based prevention plan for individuals identified as being at risk is strongly recommended. Limited compliance exists towards pressure ulcer preventive interventions. 25,5% of the patients at risk receive fully adequate prevention in bed. The reposition frequence is adequate in 55% of patients at risk. There is a lack of rigorously performed research addressing the effectiveness of devices or risk based protocols to improve compliance. Health care budgets are limited, priorities should be set in the allocation of health care resources. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the turn and position system (Prevalon®Turn and Position System 2.0, SAGE) versus standard care to improve reposition frequence in patients at risk. The second aim is to compare the effectiveness of a tailored protocol versus standard care to improve reposition frequence in patients at risk. The third aim is to compare the effectiveness of standardized incontinence care versus standard care to improve the incidence of pressure ulcers and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). Also a health economic evaluation will be performed. The study will be performed in hospital setting (university and general hospitals) in a random sample of 226 patients aged > 18 who are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Patients will be recruited from three types of wards: intensive care units, geriatric wards and rehabilitation wards. Patients will be included in the study for a period of 8 days.

Use of Santyl Within an Accountable Care Organization
Pressure UlcerFoot Ulcer1 moreThis study is designed to assess the comparative effectiveness of SANTYL® versus standard of care in the treatment of pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers within the continuum of care of an ACO. After meeting study criteria, participants will be randomly assigned to apply Santyl or standard care to their pressure ulcer or diabetic foot ulcer for up to 6 weeks. Participants will be followed for one year from the date of randomization to assess ulcer status and ulcer complications.

Effect of Self-foot Exercise on the Incidence of Plantar Foot Diabetic Ulcer Recurrence
Diabetic Foot UlcerDiabetic FootThe incidence of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence in one year can reach 35%. Plantar foot diabetic foot ulcer is the most frequently diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. The recurrence incidence can occur at least 14 days after the diabetic foot ulcer has healed. Physical activity and exercise are highly recommended for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. The study about the form of foot exercise to prevent a diabetic foot ulcer recurrence is still unclear. The major hypothesis was there is an effect of self-structured foot exercise on the plantar foot diabetic ulcer recurrences. The minor hypothesis was (1) The improvement of HbA1c, ABI, diabetic neuropathy examination score, callus, and walking speed can decrease the incidence of plantar foot diabetic ulcer (2) a self-structured foot exercise can decrease the incidence and the speed of incidence plantar doot diabetic ulcer recurrence. Participants were randomized into two groups: Exercise group (n=25) and control group (n=25). The exercise is the combination of flexibility and resistance exercise using a flexible band in 24 weeks. The incidence of plantar diabetic foot ulcers was monitored through the research process.

Mapping the MoA Behind GI Protection From Bif195
Reduction of Small Intestinal Ulceration RiskThe trial will investigate effects of daily intake of the bacterial strain Bif195 or placebo when co-administered to once-daily oral intake of 300 mg of Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA). The trial includes a run-in period of two weeks duration followed by a 4-week intervention period in which Bif195/placebo and ASA are co-administered. This period is followed by a 6-week wash-out period before a new 4-week period is performed with a cross-over Bif195/placebo intervention as well as ASA co-administration. Bif195 and placebo interventions are performed double-blinded in randomised order in a cross-over fashion for each subject.

Evaluation of Wheelchair In-Seat Activity Tracker
Pressure UlcerButtock2 moreIndividuals who use wheelchairs are at an increased risk of developing pressure injuries on the parts of the body that are in constant contact with the wheelchair. The development of pressure injuries can cause reduced mobility, reduced activity and participation, greater unemployment, increased risk for future pressure injury development, and premature death. There are numerous risk factors associated with developing pressure injuries. Individuals can reduce the risk of pressure injury formation by changing positions, weight-shifting, and using special cushions, but many people still struggle with pressure injuries. This study is designed to assess the clinical effectiveness of WiSAT (Wheelchair in-Seat Activity Tracker). WiSAT is a tool designed to help prevent the development of pressure ulcers by changing behaviors that can lead to pressure ulcers. WiSAT monitors and provides real-time feedback on weight shifts and pressure relief behaviors while sitting in a wheelchair.

FMT for Remission of Active Ulcerative Colitis in Adults
Ulcerative ColitisInflammatory Bowel DiseasesThe goal of this study is to establish the safety and effectiveness of lyophilized (LYO) fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. The protocol is being re-designed to address relevant, current research questions in the context of FMT treatment for UC. Once a final protocol is approved, this webpage will be updated.

Systematic Screening for Risk-factors for Ulcer Bleeding Before Anti-thrombotic Treatment
Coronary Occlusion/ThrombosisPeptic Ulcer HemorrhageIn a prospective randomised study design to investigate, if a systematic risk factor screening for bleeding ulcer in patients, who following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) commence a one year combination treatment with low dose aspirin and clopidogrel, followed by prophylactic treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in case of increased risk, can reduce the risk of bleeding ulcer. Based on the recently raised suspicion that PPI's, possibly except pantoprazole, reduce the effect of ADP-receptor inhibitors, pantoprazole has been chosen as prophylaxis in the screening group, and analyses will be done to ascertain whether PPI treatment increases the risk of coronary events. Further analyses will be made to see whether PPI prophylaxis in high risk patients can increase compliance with the antithrombotic treatment through a reduction of side effects, thereby reducing the risk of myocardial infarction in particular stent thrombosis. The study population will be analyzed further to identify the patients, who will benefit the most from PPI prophylaxis Hypothesis: screening heart patients for risk factors for bleeding ulcer and subsequently treating high risk patients with PPI can reduce the incidence of bleeding ulcer and increase compliance with the antithrombotic treatment; thereby possibly reducing the risk of coronary events and improving survival. Initial a description of the prevalence of risk factors will be done.