Crohn’s Exposome
Exposures Matter
About the Crohn’s Exposome Study
We conduct the study to better understand the association between airborne exposures and onset and flares of Crohn’s disease.
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 include 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, scientist 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 contribute 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 deeper understanding of how the disease occur and lead to new therapeutic and management strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do if I choose to participate?
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.
How long is the study?
Your participation will be 6 to 12 months.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, there is no cost to participants. If eligible, we’ll reimburse you for your participation.
Where is the study taking place?
For the most part, the study is done at your own home. You only need to come in for in person visits every three months held at School of Medicine, Stanford University.
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
To participate in the study as a healthy volunteer, you must be:
– At least 8 years old
– Not pregnant
– Read and understand English
– Not diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis
Further Reading
Crohn’s Exposome
Exposures Matter
For complaints, concerns, or participant’s right questions, contact 1-866-680-2906
