Short summary

Physical activity is recognized to be anti-inflammatory and might have a positive influence on disease activity and improved psychosocial factors. We will in our studies investigate whether physical activity should be considered as an additional part in the treatment regimens. 

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Rationale

Project abstract Pediatric and adolescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is increasing rapidly in several countries, including Denmark. Pediatric and adolescent IBD is often more severe than among adults with IBD. Symptoms include reduced growth, diarrhea, anxiety, pain among others. Physical activity is recognized to be anti-inflammatory and might have a positive influence on disease activity, and improved psychosocial factors, but research among patients with IBD is sparse. Our studies will provide evidence of whether physical activity should be considered as an additional part in the treatment regimens for pediatric and adolescent IBD patients. A prospective pediatric and adolescent IBD cohort will be recruited from four specialized units, with an objectively measured physical activity level among the participants. This cohort will be used in two studies to investigate physical activity and its association with disease activity measured by fecal calprotectin and clinical disease scores, and coping/compliance and health related quality of life.  

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Description of the cohort

Children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease. 

Data and biological material

Descriptive data, disease serverity by scoringsystems, biomarkers and questionnaires. 

Collaborating researchers and departments

Center for Clinical Epidemiology, OUH and Research Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts and Harvard Medical School, Boston 

• Professor Bente Mertz Nørgård, MD, PhD, DMSc

Department of Gastroenterology S, OUH, and Research Unit of Medical Gastroenterology, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark  

• Clinical Professor Jens Kjeldsen, MD, PhD

Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, OUH, and Research Unit of Pediatric, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark  

• Associated Professor Rasmus Gårdskær Nielsen, MD, PhD

Department of Medicine, Esbjerg Hospital, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

• Head of Centre Torben Knudsen, MD, PhD, DMSc

Center for Clinical Epidemiology, OUH, and Research Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark  

• Senior Researcher Michael Due Larsen, PhD

Department of Pediatrics, Lillebaelt Hospital, Kolding 

Publications associated with the project

Two publications planned