We are conducting a study to better understand the association between airborne exposures and onset and flares of Crohn’s disease.
Click here to learn more about the study and enroll if eligible.
What is the Exposome?
Exposome refers to the measure of all the exposures a person experiences in their lifetime and how these exposures affect one’s health. An individual’s exposome begins even before birth and includes exposures from all sources, such as diet and lifestyle. The exposome of a person is highly variable and dynamic. Understanding how the exposures interact with our body help impart the health impact of the exposome.
Why study the Exposome in Crohn’s Disease?
Despite intense scientific efforts in Crohn’s Disease, the exact cause of the disease remains unknown. In addition to genetic markers, scientists have found that environmental factors play a critical role in the development and progression of Crohn’s disease.
The effect may take place as early as birth and continues to change the progression of the disease the entire life. Many environmental factors in the exposome have been shown to link with the onset of Crohn’s disease, such as diet, smoking, and air pollution.
However, we still don’t know how the exposome contributes to the disease onset and whether changing the exposome would render an effective treatment to prevent or manage Crohn’s disease. By applying a multi-omic approach, including microbiome, exposome, metabolome and immunome, we could gain a deeper understanding of how the disease occurs and lead to new therapeutic and management strategies.
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible for the study, you must be:
- At least 8 years old
- Not pregnant
- Read and understand English
- Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease
Healthy volunteers (not diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) are welcome too!
What We Will Measure
You’ll be asked to carry a phone-sized personal exposure monitor with you or place it within a few feet as you move around in your daily life. You’ll wear a smartwatch on your wrist and keep a food log. In addition, you’ll provide some blood, stool and urine samples. Your participation will be 6 to 12 months.
Click here to learn more about the study and enroll if eligible.
