Research
We investigate the biopsychosocial influences on the brain-gut connection in individuals with chronic abdominal pain and other chronic conditions. We are interested in how the intersection of these factors influence health outcomes and incorporate omics and other discovery methodologies in these research endeavors.
Currently studying – enrollment full
Intersection of sex and gender among individuals with IBS
The long-term objective of this study is to better understand how sex- and/or gender-based factors contribute to the disproportionate burden of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women. Specifically, the goals of this research study are twofold:
- Assess feasibility and acceptability of remote, longitudinal salivary steroid hormone measurement in women and men with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and women and men who serve as healthy controls (HC).
- Assess feasibility and acceptability of virtual study visits with psychosocial/gender-based assessments among women and men with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and women and men who serve as healthy controls (HC).
Individuals who chose to participate attended two online/virtual study visits over the course of approximately one month/menstrual cycle, completed online questionnaires, daily symptom assessment, and collected four saliva samples at home which were mailed back to the college. Individuals did not have to live in South Carolina to participate.
- Women and men (18-45 years of age)
- Ability to read/write in English
- Access to smartphone/computer with internet and camera
- Diagnosis of IBS and IBS subtype (for cases), with documentation provided by healthcare provider
- Willingness to participate in all study procedures
- Any organic gastrointestinal (GI) condition (inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, active H. pylori infection, etc.)
- Any malignancies or endocrine disorders such as hypogonadism/ovarian hypofunction, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menstrual cycle irregularities, adrenal disorders
- Severe comorbid pain or psychiatric condition requiring recent hospitalization
- Pregnancy, recent pregnancy (past three months), or plans to become pregnant during study period
- Planned changes to GI medications during study timeframe
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