Research at CHEO improves the lives of patients with IBD
Canada has one of the highest rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in the world, with over 233,000 Canadians suffering from Crohn’s and other bowel diseases. A growing number of children are being diagnosed with IBD, especially children under 18.
Inflammatory bowel diseases can severely impact a person’s quality of life, and youth specifically can face psychological and behavioural issues as a result of their illness, in addition to the physical impacts of the disease.
Dr. David Mack is Director of the CHEO IBD Centre, an area of specialization within the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. The IBD team includes very hard-working, dedicated and caring professionals that provide excellence in patient care and create new knowledge for diagnoses, treatment, and management of children with Crohn’s disease or other ulcerative colitis.
Patients like Malaïka find hope in ongoing research as they benefit from these efforts that are quickly translated into patient care at the CHEO IBD Centre. After a visit with their family doctor in 2011, they were referred to CHEO where Malaïka was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. During her time at CHEO, Malaïka worked closely with Dr. Mack and his team, participating in research studies and lending her experience to further CHEO’s comprehensive research on Crohn’s disease. “Malaïka is one of those exceptional kids who just ‘gets’ the role research plays in medicine,” says Ruth Singleton, Senior Research Coordinator at CHEO’s IBD Centre. “She has an amazing disposition and willingness to help move research forward here at the CHEO IBD Centre.”
Over the years, Malaïka has participated in many research projects, providing extra blood samples during routine blood draws and sitting down with research coordinators and nurses for interviews to assist with their research. Most recently, she has been involved in a North American-wide “RISK Study,” a project focused on creating tests to predict which children might have a more complicated disease course, so that doctors can treat them accordingly. It is Malaïka’s hope that her contributions will allow others diagnosed with Crohn’s disease to receive better treatment, and inspire others to participate in research projects too.
An evaluation of newer treatment for Crohn’s disease included looking at anti-tumour necrosis therapy. This therapy works by creating an antibody to one of the proinflammatory molecules known to contribute a significant role in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The antibodies bind to the pro-inflammatory αTNF molecule and remove them from circulation. “Children had improved growth, felt better and had fewer complications with early introduction of these newest therapies for Crohn’s disease,” says Dr. Mack. “Using [αTNF] therapies earlier provided better health outcomes by one year of treatment as compared to more traditional therapies.” Now many children will benefit from this knowledge and suffer less from their diseases as this has been adopted into standard practice.
Two years ago Malaïka received great news — she was finally in remission! With the all-clear, Malaïka and her family could now do things they loved without worry, such as going on summer vacations. Still coming to CHEO for checkups twice a year, Malaïka and her family remain involved with the CHEO IBD Centre’s research efforts to combat Crohn’s and other IBDs.
While no cure is on the horizon, children diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can look forward to a brighter future thanks to the efforts of doctors and researchers at CHEO and early adoption of evidence-based practice. Donations from the community will support the efforts of researchers like Dr. Mack, and continue to give children and youth access to innovative new treatments that will not only change young lives in our community, but around the world.