The UC Relapse Study: Gene expression profiles and microbial predictors of relapse in Ulcerative Colitis

Details of Research

Contact: Joanne Stempak, Project Manager
416-586-4800 ext 8399
Joanne.Stempak@SinaiHealth.ca

Primary Investigator: Mark Silverberg, MD
Enrolment: Ongoing 

Sponsor:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Objective:  To evaluate the genetic, microbial and other factors associated with remission and relapse in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

Eligibility: Any Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) patient who has a confirmed diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis in clinical and endoscopic remission. Patients must also be on a stable dose of medication for a minimum of a month prior to enrollment.

You are not eligible for this study if:

• You do not have confirmed diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis
• You are not in endoscopic or clinical remission
• You plan on changing medications or treatment options for Ulcerative Colitis

Participation:
Participation involves:  

• Providing the study team with information regarding your family history and disease activity
• A small blood sample for research purposes
• Providing tissue biopsies for research purposes during your colonoscopy
• Providing us with permission to review your medical information regarding IBD
• Filling in 4-day food diaries prior to your sample collections
• Providing stool samples intermittently throughout the study
• Allowing us to follow you for up to 24 months after enrollment into the study with data and samples collected at the time of your routine checkups with your gastroenterologist

Background information:
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition involving the large intestine. In most cases, the disease course is characterized by periods of flares (when patients experience symptoms of diarrhea, urgency, abdominal pain, and/or blood in the stool) and periods of remission (when there are no, or very few, symptoms of active inflammation). The presence or absence of symptoms of active inflammation generally correspond to inflammation of the colon verified through an endoscopic evaluation. There is still very little understanding about what factors might predict which patients in remission will develop a relapse, or flare. This study hopes to understand the role of genetic and microbial factors during a flare in order to better predict flare and remission of UC. We would like to sincerely thank all of our study participants. This research couldn't be possible without your cooperation.

Please contact Joanne Stempak (phone 416-586-4800 x8399) if you are interested in participating in this study.