Dispense-T Study
Purpose of Dispense-T study
The DISPENSE-T study is testing whether a targeted nutritional strategy focused on a diet low in ultra processed foods (DISPENSE-T Special Diet) can enhance the efficacy of infliximab in children with Crohn’s disease.
Study Design
The study will enroll 140 children starting infliximab, who will be randomized to either continue their usual diet or follow a the DISPENSE-T Special Diet, with the support of a dietitian. Over the course of a year, biological samples (stool, blood, biopsies, mucosal wash), dietary data, quality-of-life measures, and clinical outcomes will be collected, and compared between the two groups.
What is the Dispense-T Special Diet?
It is a diet designed to help manage Crohn’s disease by reducing inflammation in the gut. The diet limits ultra-processed foods and emphasizes simple, gut-friendly foods. It is structured in several phases, gradually reintroducing foods over time. Research has shown that it can help some children with Crohn’s disease feel better and maintain remission.
Who can participate
Children between 9 and 17 years old with moderate to severe active Crohn’s disease (diagnosed within the past 12 months), who have never received biologic therapy and for whom the physician plans to start infliximab.
What is Involved
- You will be randomized into one of two groups:
- Control Group: Start IFX while continuing current diet
- Intervention Group: Start IFX and the special diet
- You will be followed for 12 months after you start IFX, and will meet with a dietitian 4 to 5 times over a year
- You will collect stool samples and reply to online questionnaires every few weeks and then months
- If you have a colonoscopy as part of your clinical care, additional samples will be collected for research purposes
- Participating in the study will take 7 to 8 hours in total over a year (mostly done from home or online). A gift card of your choice will be provided to thank you for your time and effort.
Contact us
If you are interested in participating in our study or would like to learn more, please contact us by email at dispense.t@ubc.ca
Interested in helping advance gut health, microbiome, and nutrition research?
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