Metabolic and Microbiome Profiling in Paediatric IBD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Metabolic and microbiome profiling in the diagnosis and characterisation of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
IRAS ID
233493
Contact name
Henry Taylor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London North West Healthcare
Duration of Study in the UK
12 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are a group of debilitating lifelong conditions which can cause pain, diarrhoea, and poor growth in children. Approximately 25% of people with IBD present as children or adolescents, and these patients tend to have more severe disease.\n\nThe cause of IBD is unknown, however it is thought that the interaction between the immune system and the gut bacteria (the microbiome) is an important factor. It is known that children with IBD have a different microbiome to healthy children. Many treatments for IBD involve altering the function of the immune system, some also change the microbiome.\n\nNo treatment for paediatric IBD is effective in all patients. Many treatments have serious side effects, for example suppressing growth or reducing bone density. Equally, poorly controlled disease can reduce quality of life, delay puberty, slow growth, and increase the risk of requiring bowel removing surgery. Choosing a treatment which effectively controls disease while minimising side effects is extremely important.\n\nAt present this is difficult as there is no way to predict which treatment will be most effective for a particular patient, and limited tools for predicting how severe disease will be. \n\nThis study has two primary aims. First, to increase understanding of the relationship between the microbiome and paediatric IBD. Secondly, to identify features which will help to predict whether a patient will have more or less severe disease, and whether they will respond to a particular therapy.\n\nIn this study blood, stool, and urine samples will be collected from children (aged 3 to 18) with IBD. The clinical data, microbiome, and chemical profile (metabolome) of the samples will be extensively analysed to achieve the study’s aims.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2049
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion