Cine MRI Characterisation of colonic dysmotility in UCAC.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cine MRI characterisation of symptomatic colonic dysmotility in ulcerative colitis-associated constipation: A feasibility study.
IRAS ID
274735
Contact name
Stuart Bloom
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the large bowel resulting in diarrhoea and rectal bleeding. Additionally chronic bowel inflammation can affect the bowels ability to propel stool (colonic dysmotlity). In particular patients with left sided inflammation can develop a well recognised issue called proximal constipation due to stasis of stool contents. This causes uncomfortable symptoms of bloating, abdominal pain, passage of hard stool. Additionally, it can prevent oral medications reaching the area of inflammation preventing effective treatment. Management has revolved around increased fibre intake and laxatives often with limited success and poor patient satisfaction.
The issue of dysmotility and proximal constipation is well recognised but poorly characterised and difficult to manage. The literature on dysmotility and proximal constIpation in UC is limited. New ways to identify and evaluate this issue are required as current tests require ionising radiation, are invasive or are inaccurate.
There has been no work to date using cine MRI to assess colonic motility in this patient group. Additionally, no attempts have been made to validate a symptomatic definition. We plan to evaluate cine MRI as a tool to both identify patients with dysmotility and further characterise the pathophysiology of the condition. We hope we may shed light on optimal therapeutic management as well as likely patient responders to treatment.
The study would take place at University College Hospital. This would be a proof of concept study with small participant numbers, 20 cases and 10 controls. Cases will include patients with active left sided UC with and without symptoms suggestive of dysmotility and proximal constipation. Controls would be healthy volunteers.
The participants will be asked to answer several short questionnaires and be invited for a single MRI scan.
The study should take 12 months duration for recruitment, questionnaire, and single visit for cine MRI imaging and result analysis.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/WM/0207
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion