STUDIOUS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Systemic Gut Microbiota Driving Sight-threatening Inflammatory Ocular Disease (STUDIOUS)
IRAS ID
140601
Contact name
Saaeha Rauz
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Eudract number
N/A
ISRCTN Number
N/A
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Inflammation of the eye may destroy tissues in the eye, leading to severe sight-loss. Currently we have limited knowledge of why this occurs. Scientists have recently shown that microbes in our gut can trigger eye inflammation in animal experiments and treatment with antibiotics dampens inflammation.
Could similar alterations in the gut microbes be associated with inflammation in the eye?
To answer this, we will compare the composition of the gut microbes in patients with eye inflammation and healthy volunteers. We will also study if treatment to dampen the immune system alters the gut microbes. Our findings will help us understand the biological basis of eye inflammation and will provide support for altering the gut microbiome as a new safe treatment strategy.
Patients with inflammatory eye conditions and healthy volunteers will be eligible to participate in this study. Participants will be asked to complete a validated food-frequency questionnaire. They will also be asked to provide small amounts of faecal samples (less than the size of five M&Ms). This study will be conducted in eye hospitals and clinics in the UK, and co-ordinated by the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
If participants develop an episode of eye inflammation, we will ask whether we could take another faecal sample followed by no more than 2-weekly samples. This will determine whether the gut microbes are altered during the relapse and resolution of inflammation. To ensure sufficient power, we expect this study to last over a period of 10 years.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0062
Date of REC Opinion
3 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion