Northwestern Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders

Current Center Research Studies:

Study Title
Functional Dyspepsia Treatment Trial, NIH: R01 DK065713-01A1

Description:

We are seeking participation of patients with chronic abdominal discomfort, bloating, or early fullness after eating a meal for a study of the effects of 2 medicines on symptoms after eating and the movement of food through the stomach. The 9 month study involves laboratory testing, drinking a nutrient drink (Ensure) at a constant rate and gastric emptying tests. A sample of blood for DNA will be drawn and stored for future testing. Compensation for participation is provided. This is a multi-center study involving 400 subjects.

To Participate:

18-75 years of age

Persistent or recurrent dyspepsia (pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen)

No evidence of organic disease that is likely to explain the symptoms

No evidence that dyspepsia is exclusively relieved by defecation or associated with the onset of a change in stool frequency or stool form (i.e., not irritable bowel)

Pain centered in the upper abdomen as the predominant (most bothersome) symptom

What Excludes You:

Predominant heartburn or acid regurgitation two or more times per week in the prior year

Documented peptic ulcer disease

Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (except long term low dose aspirin)

Subjects undergoing psychiatric treatment, having a history of drug or alcohol abuse, or currently taking psychotropic medication (psychiatric diagnoses will not be an exclusion, except for psychosis)

History of abdominal surgery except appendectomy, cholecystectomy or hysterectomy more than one year previously

Concurrent major physical illness (including cardiac or liver disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, urinary retention, active thyroid disease, vasculitis, lactose intolerance explaining symptoms)

Psychotic illness or eating disorder

Pregnancy, or refusal to apply adequate contraceptive measures during the trial

What You Would Have to Do:
Please contact the study coordinator Jason Bratten for more details.

How Long Does it take?

The total time to complete the study is approximately 9 months and involving 12 visits.

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Study Title

Assessment of Psychosocial Factors in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Functional Digestive Disorders and Healthy Controls

Description:

The goal of this study is to compare psychosocial parameters in controls, organic disease (Inflammatory Bowel Disease – IBD), and functional digestive disorders

To Participate:

This study is conducted online.
Please click here to participate.

What Excludes You:

There are no exclusion criteria for this study.

What You Would Have to Do:

Complete 8 online questionnaires and some demographic information.

How Long Does it take?

The total time to complete the study is approximately 45 minutes.

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Study Title

Stigma in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Development of a Condition-specific Measure and Relationship to Quality of Life

Description:

The goal of this study is develop a standard measure of stigma in IBS patients and the impact it has on quality of life.

To Participate:

This study is currently in Phase 2. To participate online, click here.

What Excludes You:

Any gastrointestinal disorder that would explain the gastrointestinal symptoms

Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, current substance abuse/dependency, active post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression with suicidal ideation, or dissociative disorders

Patients will also be excluded if they are currently undergoing psychotherapy for any purpose or if they have ever participated in a cognitive therapy or hypnotherapy program for their IBS symptoms.

What You Would Have to Do:

This study will be conducted in 3 phases. You will be assigned to only 1 phase:

1) Structured Interviews: For this phase, participation will consist a 21 question interview about being diagnosed with IBS, the reaction you and others have had to your diagnosis, and any attitudes or opinions you have experienced since your diagnosis.

2) Questionnaire Group 1: For this phase, participation will consist of completing 1 questionnaire that will contain items about attitudes, opinions or beliefs that you have experienced since being diagnosed with IBS and the impact they may have had on your life.

3) Questionnaire Group 2: For this phase, participation will consist of completing 6 questionnaires that will contain items about attitudes, opinions or beliefs that you have experienced since being diagnosed with IBS and the impact they may have had on your life, as well as items your current IBS symptoms and your quality of life.

How Long Does it take?

Time will vary by each phase:

Phase 1: Approximately 30 minutes
Phase 2: Approximately 20 minutes
Phase 3: Approximately 45 minutes

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Study Title

Physiologic Correlates and Clinical Relevance of Lactulose Breath Hydrogen Testing in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Description:

The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of Lactulose Hydrogen Breath Testing. A breath test used to measure small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

To Participate:

Recruitment for this study is currently pending.

What Excludes You:

History of abdominal surgery other than appendectomy or hysterectomy

Use of motility modifying medications (such as prokinetics, SSRIs, narcotics, calcium channel blockers or anticholinergics)

Use of antibiotics within the past month.

What You Would Have to Do:

Undergo 1 to 2 Lactulose Hydrogen Breath Tests.

How Long Does it take?

Your participation in this study will involve 1 to 2 visits and last for approximately 1 week.

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Study Title

Language Analysis, Psychological Correlates and Personality Traits in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Description:

The goal of this study is identify psychological characteristics of people with IBS, IBD, and Healthy Controls through the analysis of written language.

To Participate:

This study is conducted online.
Please click here to participate.

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Study Title

Procurement of blood samples for use in the development of a gastrointestinal disease test panel.

Description:

The goal of this study is to examine biomarkers in blood samples of GI patients with IBS, IBD, Celiac Sprue and other Functional GI disorders. Subject will make 2 visits to the GI Clinic at NMFF and will last approximately 1 week. Visit 1 will involve signing a consent form and filling out a questionnaire regarding your GI symptoms. Visit 2 will involve taking a blood sample from your arm. You will be compensated for your participation.

To Participate:

Call 312.695.2742, or email Jason Bratten

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Study Title

High Resolution Anorectal Manometry: Establishment of Normal Control Values

Description:

The goal of this study is to establish reference or normal ranges in healthy subjects for High Resolution Anorectal Manometry. High Resolution Anorectal Manometry is a procedure that measures the pressure inside of the rectum (lower colon), the anal sphincter muscles (circular muscles that contract to keep the rectum or lower colon closed), and the reflexes that are needed for normal bowel movements. It is used in the evaluation of certain gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses associated with the lower colon, including constipation.

Your participation involves 1 visit to the GI Laboratory at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and will last approximately 1 hour. This research study is being conducted by Dr. Michael P. Jones, M.D.

To Participate:
Call 312.695.2742, or email Jason Bratten

What Excludes You:

History of digestive problems such as constipation, abdominal pain, or diarrhea, history of abdominal surgery other than appendectomy or hysterectomy, and use of motility modifying medications (such as prokinetics, SSRIs, narcotics, calcium channel blockers or anticholinergics).

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