Short summary

Clinical crossover trial assessing effects of dietary gluten intake on gastrointestinal symptoms, daily fatigue and microbiota in Ulcerative Colitis. Participants will be exposed to high intake for one week and low gluten intake for one week, allowing for individual comparisons. Patients and dieticians are participating in designing the trial and communicating the results.

Rationale

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic condition affecting the patients everyday life, and many patients are seeking dietary advice to manage symptoms alongside their normal medication. Multiple diets have been suggested to reduce the symptoms, but evidence for their effect is scarce. Especially the gluten free diet is of interest due to glutens inflammatory properties in some patients. Particularly, gluten peptides can impair the small intestinal cell wall and alter the microbiota composition to increase inflammatory metabolites in the large intestines. However, effects of gluten differ between diagnoses, and the effects on UC remain to be examined. Despite a potential to lower intestinal and systemic inflammation, adhering to a strict gluten free diet can have a negative impact on the person's psychological well-being. Hence, strong evidence for the use of gluten free diets in managing disease symptoms is required. Thus, we aim to complete an intervention study to assess the effects of dietary gluten on GI-symptoms and gut microbiota in UC.

Description of the cohort

We are assessing adults (age >17) with Ulcerative Colitis and mild to medium disease activity. Participants will be enrolled at the out patient clinic at Hospital Sønderjylland, Aabenraa.

Data and biological material

We are collecting blood, faeces and urine as well as patient reported outcomes on disease activity, intestinal symptoms, health realted quality of life, fatigue, and dietary intake at baseline and follow-up of two intervention periods.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Institute for Molecular Medicine, Odense Universitet

• Jesper Bonnet Møller

University Medical Center, JGU Mainz

• Dr. Sara Vieira-Silva