Research

What is this Study About?

The IMAGINE Network is currently recruiting healthy individuals along with persons with inMammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our goal is to recruit 8,000 subjects and will study how three important variables (genes, diet and mental health) impact the gut microbiome and, in turn, how together they impact the disease course.

Who can Participate?

Adults or children with IBD or IBS or healthy subjects

This study has been approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (REB #3000).

Primary Contact
Aida Fernandes
fernaa19@mcmaster.ca

Principal Investigator
Paul Moayyedi
McMaster University

What is this Study About?

Are you interested in wellness AND want to support IBD research?

EMPOWER is a 12-week online wellness program for people 18+ living with inflammatory bowel disease (we have a program for other chronic digestive diseases as well)!

Who Can Participate?

Adults (18+) living with inflammatory bowel disease with access to an internet-connected device

Your Role in This Study

Once you complete some surveys (takes about 30 minutes) you have a 2/3 chance of being randomly assigned to one of the groups that start the program right away (within a week) and a 1/3 chance of going into our control group which starts the program in 12 weeks. Each of the 12 weeks of the program contains two core components with science-based practices:
 

1. Energize
   • Weekly guided movement routines with breathwork and meditation integrated throughout
     • Five different types of movement: Low Intensity Chair exercise, Chair exercise, Standing Yoga, Advanced Yoga, or Tai Chi
2. Life Skills
   • A Weekly ‘Tip from your care team’ - a short video by clinical experts in digestive disease, nutrition or psychology
   • Coping Skills Program - Weekly Psychology Tips
     • Core concepts include Pacing, Sleep, finding out your Values & Goal Setting!

Within the program, participants will also find fun activities, games, and ways to feel connected to the study team and others in the program, including polls, a leaderboard, a virtual assistant & more!

To learn more, visit www.empower-program.com/ibd/.

This study has been approved by the University of Alberta's Health Research Ethics Board (REB# Pro00122568).

Primary Contact
Emily Johnson
empower@ualberta.ca

Principal Investigator
Puneeta Tandon
University of Alberta

The global prevalence of IBD continues to rise. Despite substantial advances in therapeutics, IBD has no cure, leads to reduced quality of life, and causes significant personal and societal burden.

We need to improve treatment of IBD and continue to search for a cure. Simultaneously, prediction and prevention of new cases is a critical goal.

What is this study about? 

Over the past few years, research into the pre-diagnostic stages of IBD has expanded significantly.

Investigators have been able to identify biomarkers that may predict IBD, and inflammatory pathways altered many years preceding clinical diagnosis. This means that while we are still far away from finding a preventive strategy for IBD, we are making major advances. Therefore, it is essential that we also start to understand the degree of acceptance that individuals at risk for developing IBD, and parents (in the case of children), would have for undergoing predictive tests and/or preventive treatments.

As of today, the strongest risk factor for developing IBD is a family history of IBD, especially a first-degree relative (FDR). Therefore, we have developed a survey for persons at risk for IBD, those with an FDR at risk for IBD, or those with an FDR (parent, sibling or child) with IBD.

This survey will take 10-15min to complete, and the information collected is important for us to understand patient preference and acceptance of potential IBD prevention initiatives.

Who can participate? 

1. You are concerned about your child/children developing IBD, because either you and/or your partner have IBD and are either becoming a first-time parent or have an healthy child
2. You are concerned about your healthy child/children developing IBD, because you already have another child/children diagnosed with IBD.
3. You don't have IBD but are concerned about your risk of developing IBD because you have a 1st degree relative diagnosed with IBD (mother, father, sister or brother, or child)

Link to survey here: https://redcap.link/Prediction_Prevention_IBD

This study has been approved by the Hospital Beatriz Ângelo's Research Ethics Board (REB# ^a3176/2019_MJHNO)

Primary Contact
Dr. Joana Torres
joana.torres@hbeatrizangelo.pt 

Principal Investigator
Dr. Ken Croitoru
Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto

Please note: This is a survey developed by Dr Joana Torres and Portugal trying to assess preferences for prediction and prevention of IBD, in collaboration with Dr Ken Croitoru. All data is de-identified and anonymised.

What is this study about?

We want to test if fasting for certain hours daily can help with weight loss and improve gut inflammation. We are asking patients with Crohn’s disease who struggle with weight to participate in this 12-week study.

Your Role in this Study

If you join this study, you could be put into two groups. The first group does not fast and eats as usual. The second group is the group that will fast.

The fasting group fasts for a certain number of hours 6 days a week. They will eat their regular diet during their eating window. They will also meet with a registered dietitian (RD) online. The RD will teach the patient how to fast and help answer questions. The research assistant will call patients every two weeks to discuss changes in medications, disease symptoms and how well the patient is doing with the fasting.

The other group will be asked to eat their regular diet over the 12-week study. At the end of the study, they will get to meet with the RD and do the fast as well. The research assistant will call patients every two weeks to discuss medication changes and disease symptoms.

Both groups will complete surveys at the start and end of the study. These surveys will ask about your quality of life and physical activity levels.

Who can Participate?

We are recruiting patients who:

• are located in Calgary, AB or Kelowna, BC;
• are 18-70 years of age;
• struggle with their weight;
• and are affected by Crohn's disease.

This study has been approved by the University of Calgary's Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB21-1539_REN1).

Primary Contact
Munazza Yousuf
munazza.yousuf1@ucalgary.ca

Principal Investigator
Maitreyi Raman
University of Calgary

What is this study about?

The purpose of this study is to understand the genetic factors that might be contributing to inflammatory Bowel Disease in individuals of Black or Hispanic/Latinx ancestries. We hope our findings will help in personalizing treatments for IBD.

Your Role in this Study

Participants will be asked to:

• donate one tablespoon of blood and/or saliva sample
• complete a questionnaire about their IBD history
• provide access to their medical records

Who can Participate?

Participants must:

• Self-identify as African American or Black or;
• Self-identify as Hipanic/Latinx;
• Have been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis;
• Be willing to donate blood and/or saliva sample;
• Be willing to give the study access to your medical records.

All ages are welcome, and participants must have confirmed (via medical records access) IBD. They will also receive compensation for their time after completing all study procedures. The study is located at the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON.

This study has been approved by the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Ethics Board (REB# 02-0234-E).

Primary Contact
ibd.research@sinaihealth.ca

Principal Investigator
Mark Silverberg
Mount Sinai Hospital

What is this study about?

The Toronto Immune & Digestive Institute is inviting you to participate in a study to determine the best treatment target(s) in management of Ulcerative Colitis (UC).  Disease activity and response to therapy in UC are assessed through patient reported symptoms, endoscopy, biopsy, and biomarkers. In this study, most participants will be treated with a Health Canada approved biologic Entyvio and randomized to different treatment groups which differ by treatment target.  


Who can participate?

UC patients who are 18 years or older with active symptoms of UC. There are other criteria that you will need to meet to qualify for the study, which the study team will discuss with you. The study team will also discuss the potential benefits and risks of being involved in the study and explain what participating would mean for you.


Your role in this study

To determine whether you can take part in the study, you will be invited to go to our clinic to undergo medical tests and assessments. This visit will occur up to 4 weeks before the start of study treatment. If you qualify and enter the study, you will be asked to return to our clinic to receive infusions every 4-8 weeks depending on the group you are in and undergo an assessment approximately every 16 weeks for 2 years (9 visits). Your participation is voluntary. You are allowed to leave the study at any time. Participation can be stopped if you or your study doctor have concerns or if you change your mind about being in the study. You will not be paid for taking part in this study. However, you may be reimbursed for travel to and from the study center and for parking expenses. There will be no charge for any study-related treatment or care.

This study has been approved by Advarra's Research Ethics Board (REB# MOD01412585).

Primary Contact
Lindsay Cochrane
lcochrane@tidhi.ca

Principal Investigator
Mark Silverberg
Toronto Immune and Digestive Health Institute

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.

Your Role in this Study

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 can Participate?
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)

Primary Contact
Lee Hill
hill.lee.devlin@gmail.com
514-443-8488

Principal Investigator
Dr Nikhil Pai
McMaster University