Phoebe Heenan1, Rob H Creemers1, Shriya Sharma1, Jacqueline Keenan2, Simone Bayer1, Wayne Young3,4,5, Janine Cooney5,6, Kelly Armstrong3, Karl Fraser3,4,5, Paula M Skidmore1, Nicholas J Talley7, Nicole Roy4,5,8, Richard B Gearry1,5. 1. Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. 2. Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. 3. Food Nutrition and Health, Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 4. Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 5. High Value Nutrition Science Challenge, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 6. Massey University, Biological Chemistry & Bioactives Group and Food Innovation, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 7. Plant & Food Research, Research and Innovation Division, Hamilton, New Zealand. 8. Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This cross-sectional observational case-control study was initiated in July 2016 with the aim of increasing an understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional diarrhoea (FD), and functional constipation (FC). Specific areas of interest include the effect of food, microbiome, host and microbial genetics, metabolome, and psychological variables on unexplained chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. METHODS: This study recruited consecutive patients who were attending one of two endoscopy centres in Christchurch, New Zealand, for colonoscopy and a subgroup of participants from the general public who did not undergo colonoscopy. Participants with known GI disease other than an FGID were excluded. Those with symptoms were recruited as cases, whilst those without symptoms were recruited as controls. In the days prior to preparation for colonoscopy, or an agreeable time for those not undergoing colonoscopy, demographic, symptom, psychological, dietary, and health data were collected in addition to biological samples (breath, faeces, blood, and urine). Colonic biopsies were taken at the time of colonoscopy from participants in the colonoscopy subgroup. RESULTS: Between July 2016 and December 2018, 349 participants were recruited, 315 of whom completed the study, 220 participants were from the colonoscopy subgroup, and 95 from the non-colonoscopy subgroup. This included 129 controls and 186 cases (57 IBS-diarrhoea predominant, 30 IBS-constipation predominant, 41 IBS-mixed, 42 FC, and 16 FD). The mean age of FGID cases was 53.4 years and controls 54.4 years. Cases (149/186, 80.1%) and controls (57/72, 55.8%) were predominantly female. Education levels were similar across the cohort. Smoking and alcohol rates were also similar. Biological samples were collected as planned from participants. CONCLUSIONS: The COMFORT cohort is a unique clinical cohort of FGID cases and controls with a wide range of demographic, dietary, clinical, psychological, and health data in addition to biological samples. Future research will aim to use a systems biology approach to establish the potential role of diet, host-microbiome interactions, and other factors in the pathogenesis of FGIDs.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This cross-sectional observational case-control study was initiated in July 2016 with the aim of increasing an understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional diarrhoea (FD), and functional constipation (FC). Specific areas of interest include the effect of food, microbiome, host and microbial genetics, metabolome, and psychological variables on unexplained chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. METHODS: This study recruited consecutive patients who were attending one of two endoscopy centres in Christchurch, New Zealand, for colonoscopy and a subgroup of participants from the general public who did not undergo colonoscopy. Participants with known GI disease other than an FGID were excluded. Those with symptoms were recruited as cases, whilst those without symptoms were recruited as controls. In the days prior to preparation for colonoscopy, or an agreeable time for those not undergoing colonoscopy, demographic, symptom, psychological, dietary, and health data were collected in addition to biological samples (breath, faeces, blood, and urine). Colonic biopsies were taken at the time of colonoscopy from participants in the colonoscopy subgroup. RESULTS: Between July 2016 and December 2018, 349 participants were recruited, 315 of whom completed the study, 220 participants were from the colonoscopy subgroup, and 95 from the non-colonoscopy subgroup. This included 129 controls and 186 cases (57 IBS-diarrhoea predominant, 30 IBS-constipation predominant, 41 IBS-mixed, 42 FC, and 16 FD). The mean age of FGID cases was 53.4 years and controls 54.4 years. Cases (149/186, 80.1%) and controls (57/72, 55.8%) were predominantly female. Education levels were similar across the cohort. Smoking and alcohol rates were also similar. Biological samples were collected as planned from participants. CONCLUSIONS: The COMFORT cohort is a unique clinical cohort of FGID cases and controls with a wide range of demographic, dietary, clinical, psychological, and health data in addition to biological samples. Future research will aim to use a systems biology approach to establish the potential role of diet, host-microbiome interactions, and other factors in the pathogenesis of FGIDs.
Authors: D A Drossman; Z Li; E Andruzzi; R D Temple; N J Talley; W G Thompson; W E Whitehead; J Janssens; P Funch-Jensen; E Corazziari Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 1993-09 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Carla E Flik; Laura Bakker; Wijnand Laan; Yanda R van Rood; André J P M Smout; Niek J de Wit Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2017-03-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Simone B Bayer; Phoebe Heenan; Chris Frampton; Catherine L Wall; Lynley N Drummond; Nicole C Roy; Richard B Gearry Journal: Nutrients Date: 2022-10-06 Impact factor: 6.706