View clinical trials related to Intestinal Diseases.
Filter by:The study aims to: 1. Determine whether the density of epithelial gaps in terminal ileum of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is different from that in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and normal controls by confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE). 2. Evaluate the relationship between the density of epithelial gaps and IBS subtypes, and visceral hypersensitivity.
Under normal conditions intestinal mucosa presents a baseline "physiological inflammation" caused by a controlled immune response that eliminates offending dietary and microbial antigens. This inflammation disappears once the cause is eradicated. In case of inappropriate immunological response, the inflammation becomes chronic and harmful, resulting in anatomical and functional abnormalities, namely inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although it is critical for the IBD patients to undergo early diagnosis and management before the development of severe complications, but as IBD has vague and non-pathognomonic clinical features, the clinician is usually mislead into late suspicion and detection of IBD. Diagnosis traditionally depended on a combination of pathologic evaluation together with the histological, clinical, radiological, endoscopic, surgical, laboratory (serological) features. Recently, serological markers were identified and became of special interest as they do not only detect the occurrence of IBD but also the potential of its development and may be used as prognostic tools. More recently, stool markers were detected and used for diagnosis. Up to now, the market is still lacking a definitive, simple and non-invasive diagnostic tool. Saliva can present an alternative form of body fluids that simplify diagnostic procedures. Our hypothesis is that IBD patients have special salivary biomarkers that may be identified through salivary analysis, where later on a simple non-invasive test can be applied in the form of an easy-to-use kit, being available at the clinician's clinic for the establishment of an immediate and early diagnosis of the destructive inflammatory bowel disease.
Purpose: 1. To demonstrate better symptoms control (pain, urinary urgency and frequency) with sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in patients with interstitial cystitis /painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) using a stimulation frequency of 40 hertz (experimental) compared to a frequency of 14 hertz (standard). 2. The evaluate the efficacy of the two frequency settings on the other associated conditions that often coexist in patients with IC/PBS, such as female sexual dysfunction (FSD), bowel dysfunction, high tone pelvic floor dysfunction (HTPFD, painful spasm of the pelvic floor muscles), Vulvodynia (pain at the opening of the vagina).
The investigators are doing the research to discover genes that cause Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) specifically in the African American population. African Americans with or without Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are eligible to join. If you agree to join the study, the investigators will ask for information about your health. The investigators will also ask you to give us a blood sample so that they may discover the genes that cause IBD. The blood sample may be collected at Johns Hopkins or any local facility convenient to you.
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of different environmental factors on immune cells in patients with IBD.
A Multicenter National Prospective Study of Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes in Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease study is being conducted at the University of California San Francisco and 30 other sites around the United States who are part of the CCFA Clinical Alliance. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of medication use and disease activity on the outcome of pregnancy among women with IBD up to 18 years from birth.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of confocal laser endomicroscopy in assessment of colonic permeability against conventional sugar absorption test.
Research has shown that children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease may have lower levels of vitamin D than healthy children, especially in the winter. Vitamin D is important for growing and maintaining healthy bones throughout life, and this is particularly important, since children with IBD frequently have low bone density. It may also be helpful in the treatment of IBD itself, because it helps reduce inflammation. Vitamin D levels are measured by the amount of 25 OHD in the blood; however, measuring this level on a regular basis is not yet the standard for children with IBD. The purpose of this study is to find the best way to treat low vitamin D levels, and to maintain good vitamin D levels throughout the year. It will also test whether having higher vitamin D levels will improve the bone health of children with IBD, and whether it will help them have milder disease.
This study will investigate in patients with Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis how the body s immune system controls inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines)-specifically, how lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) function in inflammatory responses. This protocol does not involve any experimental treatments. Patients between the ages of 0 and 75 years of age with Crohn s disease or ulcerative colitis or symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease may be eligible for this study. Screening tests may include the following: medical history and physical examination, routine blood tests, examination of stool specimens, X-rays such as barium enema or upper GI series, proctosigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, and small bowel biopsy. Participants will receive medical treatment according to the best generally accepted measures for treating Crohn s disease or ulcerative colitis. This may include anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, and antibiotics to treat infections. A surgical consultation may be recommended for patients whose disease does not respond to medical treatment. If surgery to remove intestinal tissue is recommended, a qualified gastrointestinal surgeon will perform the procedure. In addition, participants may undergo the following procedures: - Blood drawing - No more than 450 milliliters (30 tablespoons, or 15 ounces) of blood will be taken from adults over a 6-week period. A maximum of 7 ml (1/2 tablespoon) of blood per kilogram (2.2. pounds) of body weight will be obtained from children within the same time period, with no more than 3 ml/kg taken at any one time. - Leukapheresis - This procedure is done to collect large quantities of white blood cells. Whole blood is collected through a needle in an arm vein, similar to donating blood. The blood is circulated through a machine that separates it into its components, and the white cells are removed. The rest of the blood is returned to the body, either through the same needle or through another needle in the other arm. - Intestinal biopsies - Intestinal tissue will be obtained during colonoscopy with intestinal biopsy in patients who require this procedure as part of their standard medical care. Patients are given a sedative to reduce anxiety, but are conscious during the procedure. A flexible tube is inserted into the rectum and large intestine, allowing the physician to see the intestinal mucosa. At various places, small pieces of tissue are plucked out.