Research

Persons from across Canada are being invited to participate in the IMAGINE research study. The IMAGINE Network is investigating the interactions between inflammation, microbiome, diet and mental health in patient with IBD (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IMAGINE is also studying whether new therapies (fecal transplants, diet, probiotics, cognitive behaviour therapy) have the potential to transform the management of IBD and IBS and their associated mental health issues.
 
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you have been diagnosed by your physician with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, or are a healthy individual without gastrointestinal symptoms.

Visit www.imaginespor.com for more information and to find a recruitment site near you.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, non-invasive, FDA approved technique that uses non-invasive magnetic fields to stimulate targeted brain cells. This has been found to help improve mental health conditions like anxiety & depression, and also reduce the use of psychotropic medications. The purpose of this study is to determine if patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who have anxiety, depression, or other symptoms respond to TMS treatment.

Who can participate?
Male and female Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients who have anxiety, depression, or abdominal pain, despite being on stable IBD medications.

You must reside in or be able to commute to Calgary

Primary Contact
Chinedu Diribe
chinedu.diribe@ucalgary.ca
Phone: 403-220-5782

Principal Investigator
Dr. Mark Swain
 

The Institute for Work & Health is inviting you to share your ideas and experiences as part of a new study that is exploring the future of work for young people with disabilities.

Your insights will be used to support the employment of young people with disabilities.

What is the study about?
The world of work is changing very quickly. Factors like technology, artificial intelligence and climate change are changing how we work and creating new challenges and opportunities for young people seeking jobs who are living with a disability. Your help is needed to understand how to support young people with disabilities in the future of work.

Your opinions matter. Design creative ideas to make the future of work inclusive.

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete two online activities, spaced six months apart, where you will be asked to recommend supports for the future for young people with disabilities. You can also choose to complete the activity by telephone.

You will receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card for each online activity you complete.

Who can participate in the study?
You can take part if you are:

• Between 18-35; AND
• Live in Canada; AND
• Live with a disability such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Also, you should meet one of the following criteria:

• You are currently employed in paid work (full-time or part-time); OR
• You have been employed in the past year; OR
• You are looking for work or planning to find a job in the next year.

This is an exciting chance for you to be creative and use your experiences to promote innovative solutions.

If you are interested in participating, click here.

Also, we have included a report on the future of work. We ask that you review this report before completing the activity to help you answer the questions.

We encourage you to share this email with others who you think may be interested in participating in the online activity.

Primary Contact:
Kay Nasir
knasir@iwh.on.ca
(416) 927-2027 ext. 2101

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Arif Jetha
Institute for Work & Health

Researchers are looking to hear from Canadian adults with IBD about their experience and approach to managing their IBD with biologics.

Who is eligible?
Participants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older;
• Reside in Canada;
• Be sufficiently fluent in English to participate in interviews or focus groups;
• Have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or indeterminate colitis (inflammatory bowel disease - IBD); and
• Be using a biologic therapy to manage their IBD.

To participate, please contact:
Deirdre Walsh
deirdre.walsh1@ucalgary.ca

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Deborah Marshall
University of Calgary

The University of Alberta invites you (or your child) to learn more about a research study in which you (or your child) may be eligible to take part. Research studies help improve how we care for our patients and their families. Whether you take part or not, you will always receive the best available care. 

Researchers would like to learn more about how the COVID-19 vaccine will impact patients with digestive diseases who take medications that impact the immune system.

Who can participate? 
1. You (or your child) may qualify if the following apply: Never tested SARS-CoV-2 positive or diagnosed with COVID-19.

2. Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) or OR received a liver transplant. 

3. Medical treatment with one of the following: Vedolizumab [Entyvio®], Infliximab [Remicade®, Inflectra®, Renflexis®, Avsola®, Remsima®, Flixabi®] Adalimumab (Humira®, Hadlima®, Hyrimoz®, Idacio®], Ustekinumab [Stelara®], Tofacitinib [Xeljanz®], Prednisone, Azathioprine [Imuran®], Mycophenolate Mofetil [CellCept®], Sirolimus [Rapamune®], Tacrolimus [Prograf®], Cyclosporine [Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®], or OR Ursodeoxycholic acid [Urso®, Actigall®].

If you (or your child) plans to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Tozinameran or BNT162b2) and would like to learn more about your eligibility for this study, you are welcome to contact Raymond Odsen at raymond.odsen@ahs.ca or (780) 248-1035.

This study has been approved by the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (REB#Pro00110062). 

To find out more information visit the study website or please get in touch with:

Primary Contact:
Raymond Odsen
Email: raymond.odsen@ahs.ca
Telephone: 780 248 1035

Principal Investigator: 
Dr. Daniel Baumgart
University of Alberta

We are looking for women with IBD who are in the preconception, pregnancy, or postpartum period to participate. 

Your role in this study
You will be asked to complete an online survey, which will be completed through Novi Survey, a secure online survey platform. The online survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You will be asked to complete questions on demographics and Aspirin (side effects, potential benefits, etc.). 

Voluntary Participation and Confidentiality 
Your participation in this research study is completely voluntary. You may refuse to participate at any time, decline to answer any question, or withdraw from the study without any negative consequences. All information will remain anonymous and will be used for research purposes only (which includes publication). This study has been approved by Research Ethics at the University of Toronto. 

Potential Risks and Benefits 
There are no foreseeable risks involved in your participation in this research. Your participation will aid the study investigators in furthering our understanding of Aspirin prescribing in Preeclampsia prevention in women with IBD. There are no direct benefits to you.

This study has been approved by the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Ethics Board (REB#20-0263-E)

If you’re interested in participating, you can access the survey here: https://ddcrc.mshri.on.ca/NoviSurvey/n/zz13g.aspx

To find out more information please get in touch with:

Research Contact: Youstina Hanna
Email: youstina.hanna@mail.utoronto.ca
Telephone: 416-586-4800 ext 2677 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Vivian Huang

The PediCRaFT (Pediatric CRohn’s Disease Fecal Microbiota Transplant) Trial is the first Health Canada approved fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) trial for children living with Crohn’s disease across Canada.

Study involves:
i) Colonoscopy (optional): Patients will have baseline disease severity assessed on endoscopy, and receive FMT infusion into the terminal ileum via colonoscopy. Initial baseline colonoscopy (supervised by pediatric anesthesia, endoscopy nurse, and pediatric gastroenterologist) through McMaster Children’s Hospital’s outpatient pediatric endoscopy suite..

ii) Rectal enema (optional): Patients may receive a rectal enema FMT infusion instead of colonoscopy, based on availability and patient preference. This is done through the McMaster Children’s Hospital outpatient Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition clinic.

iii) Oral FMT Capsule (6 weeks): Twice per week, for 6 weeks, you will be given oral capsules that you may take at home. Capsules will contain healthy bacteria. 

Who is eligible?
Children ages 3 to 17 years old, diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or IBD-U. 

Study Requirements:
1.) Bloodwork
2.) Urine Samples
3.) Stool samples
4.) Complete a 6-Question survey

This study has been approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (REB#4457)

To find out more information please get in touch with:

Research Contact: Lee Hill
Email: hill.lee.devlin@gmail.com
Telephone: 514-443-8488

Principal Investigator: Dr Nikhil Pai

The use of medical cannabis has received increasing attention for its potential role in inflammation and immune function for IBD. In this study, we explore patients' perceptions and experiences with cannabis to manage IBD symptoms and improve quality of life and disease outcomes. 

This survey is open to all patients with IBD who live in Saskatchewan. We would like to hear from everyone with IBD regardless of their personal history with cannabis. Everyone is welcome – those who are currently using cannabis products to those who have never used it before.

The research aims are to 1) develop a better understanding of cannabis use in IBD; 2) explore patient's experiences/beliefs on medical cannabis use for IBD, and to 3) improve outcomes for patients with IBD and ensure that medical cannabis is used safely and effectively. The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. 

Who can participate?
1) diagnosed with IBD; 
2) 18 years of age and older; 
3) residents of Saskatchewan.

If you’re interested in participating, you can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/IBDCBD

Participants who complete the survey will be entered to win a gift card, a 1 in 50 chance. 

This study has been approved by the University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Ethics Board (ID #1254).

To find out more information about this study please get in touch with:

Research Contact: Jennifer Chami
Email: ibd.cannabis@usask.ca
Telephone: 306-966-5104

Principal Investigator: Dr. Sharyle Fowler

The purpose of this study is to obtain an understanding of perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and care experiences in older adults with IBD. The objectives are to: 1) assess perceived HRQOL and chronic illness care in older adults with IBD; and 2) explore the care experiences of older adults with IBD living in Canada. The older adult age group is the fastest growing group of individuals with IBD and obtaining perspectives about older adult’s goals of care and how the care received impacts their quality of life are important considerations for future health service delivery plans. There is not a lot of information on the perspectives from older adults with IBD and our research team wants to increase knowledge in this area. 

This project is a 1 year study with 2 ways to participate (You can participate by selecting one or both options). 

1. An anonymous online or paper survey – The survey will take you about 20-40 minutes to complete. 

2. A confidential telephone or online interview - The research team is looking to conduct 30-60 minute interviews with older adult patients who have IBD. The interview questions will ask you about your IBD history and what it is like living with IBD as an older adult. 

Who can participate? You can help us if you: 
1. Have been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) (either Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis). Diagnosis could have occurred at any age
2. Are currently 60 years of age or older. 
3. Are able to read and speak English fluently. 
4. Live in Canada 

If you are interested in completing the online the online survey, please enter this link into your web browser https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/IBDolderadultCAN 

This study has been approved by the University of Saskatchewan Research Ethics Board (BEH#2341). 

To find out more information about the paper survey or telephone interview, please get in touch with:

Research Assistant: Ms. Brooke Russell
Email: brooke.russell@usask.ca

Principal Investigator:  Dr. Noelle Rohatinsky
Email: noelle.rohatinsky@usask.ca

This study is part of a global research effort to follow IBD patients at infusion centers around the world. We will measure the baseline prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, exposure by antibody testing (involves taking a blood sample) and follow with scheduled testing (blood sample at each of the visits) every 8 weeks over a 48-week period.

Through analysis of clinical data and patients’ social behaviors(questionnaire), we will be able to identify social, treatment-related, and biological factors that determine whether patients acquire mild, asymptomatic, or severe disease. This study could lead to improvements in understanding the effects of medications and viral infections in IBD and help on future pandemic preparations and epidemiological studies.

Who can participate? 
1. Participants 18 years or older
2. Been diagnosed by your physician with IBD (Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBD-U)
3. Currently receiving treatment for IBD with Infliximab, other biologics or Vedolizumab
4. May or may not been diagnosed with COVID-19. 

This study has been approved by the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Ethics Board (REB# 20-0217-E)

To find out more information about this study or to volunteer, please get in touch with:

Research Coordinator: Raquel Milgrom
Email: Raquel.Milgrom@sinaihealth.ca

Principal Investigator: 
Dr. Mark Silverberg

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) may undergo colectomy due to a variety of reasons. Ileal-pouch anal anastomosis is often offered to these patients. Unfortunately the pouch commonly develops inflammation, known as pouchitis, which is the most common complication of this procedure and occurs in approximately 50% of patients, with the majority of these patients having multiple episodes.

Enrolling now for Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) for Patients with Active Pouchitis. The study focuses on use of fecal microbiota transplantation for treatment of pouchitis. The study objectives are to learn about a) if alteration of the microbiota in pouchitis helps improve disease symptoms; and b) understand the changes that occur in the gut bacteria during fecal transplantation. This is a randomized controlled trial of fecal microbiota transplantation versus placebo for treatment of pouchitis.

Who can participate?
1. Be 18 or over and be able to give informed consent.
2. Have symptoms of active pouchitis.
3. Have evidence of active pouchitis in screening pouchoscopy.

Qualified Participants Receive:
1. Study-related care from gastroenterologist including screening pouchoscopy and final pouchoscopy.
2. Once weekly FMT enemas for at least 6 weeks.
3. Compensation for parking.

This study has been reviewed by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board. Project ID #4702. 

To register for this study or for more information, please contact:
Mr. Peter Habashi: habashp@hhsc.ca