Hope Brought to Sufferers of Digestive System Disease

By HELEN RAE

DOCTORS in the region are leading the way in pioneering research into a debilitating disease’s genetic links.

Newcastle University and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are spearheading national research into genetic factors which may increase susceptibility to Crohn’s disease.

The condition is a chronic, episodic, inflammatory bowel disease and is generally classified as an autoimmune illness. It is characterised by areas of inflammation with areas of normal lining in between – a symptom known as skip lesions.

The North East is part of a nationwide team conducting a study to find out what causes the condition of the digestive system, for which there is no cure.

Nick Thompson, a consultant gastroenterologist at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, is involved with the research.

He said: "The university and the trust has been part of a UK consortium responsible for analysing consenting patients’ blood samples. From this study some genes have been clearly identified as hotspots.

"These genes play a role in either making you get it or if you do, determining whether it’s better or more severe or whether you respond to one form of therapy or another."

Dr Thompson said through identifying specific genes which affect Crohn’s, he hopes to be able to make drugs more effective for patients.

"The work which is going on to which North East patients are contributing has made huge steps in identifying the genes," he said.

"At the moment we use drugs to damp down the condition. If you understand what they do you can understand why people develop the condition and make drugs more targeted."

Crohn’s disease affects one in 500 people and is more prevalent in women than men. The cause is as yet unknown.

Mum-of-three Sandra Plunton, 46, of Blakelaw Newcastle, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when she was 18.

After suffering with the condition for more than 10 years, and plummeting to 5st 11lb, Mrs Plunton decided to undergo a major operation to have her bowel removed. She now has a colostomy bag.

The civil servant said: "It is a very uncomfortable and painful condition and any research into the illness is a good thing because treatment has to move on with the disease.

"When my condition was at its worst I dropped to 5st 11lb because I was going to the toilet up to 30 times a day and I was really malnourished. I also was hospitalised to stabilise my health.

"I was put on steroids in the hope my energy levels would improve but it just ended up masking the symptoms rather than helping.

"I became very poorly and after years of living with the condition I decided to have an operation to have my bowel removed.

Although it was a big decision I’m glad I did it and have never looked back. My energy levels are much higher now and I feel great.

"I’m content at having a colostomy bag and would recommend others with the condition to consider it, but I would still rather not have needed it and that’s why I think it’s very important research continues into the disease."

Dr Thompson added: "We think about 20% of the cause of Crohn’s may be genetic.

"If you have someone in your family who has Crohn’s you are more likely to have it but it’s not inherited like cystic fibrosis.

"Like hypertension or heart disease, family history increases your susceptibility, but it’s not inevitable."

For those who have the disease, Dr Thompson said there have been great strides forward.

For some sufferers of Crohn’s, as well as conditions such as colitis or bowel cancer, an ileostomy – a procedure to make an opening to the small intestine through the abdominal wall and fit a bag to collect waste – can be recommended.

Colorectal nurse specialist at the Freeman Hospital Ruth Christa said: "Care for stoma – the word for the actual opening created by an ileostomy – patients has improved greatly in the past 10 years."

The first specialist colorectal nurse in stoma care began at the Freeman in 1996, supported by national company Fittleworth, which has established many specialist stoma care nurses across the North East NHS including Gateshead.

Ms Christa added: "There are nurse specialists like myself who give patients pre-operation counselling and the opportunity to speak to another patient with the same condition.

After the surgery the nurse will help them back into the community."

"When my condition was at its worst I dropped to 5st 11lb because I was going to the toilet up to 30 times a day and I was really malnourished"

"There are nurse specialists like myself who give patients pre- operation counselling. After the surgery the nurse will help them back into the community."

Service offers peace of mind

A NEW emergency service offering peace of mind to those travelling the globe using stoma care products has been launched.

The World Assist Alliance (WAA) has been designed to support travellers with stoma needs, such as Crohn’s disease, by offering emergency delivery to the same level abroad as the discreet service received at home.

National company Fittleworth supplies the best stoma bag products for its customers, offering home delivery and providing support and advice through a network of specialist nurses and staff.

Now these benefits will be made available to those customers travelling to partnered countries as well.

Fittleworth marketing manager Jeremy Stoke said: "Fittleworth prides itself on supporting customers and nurses in a practical way and the WAA is an extension of this ethos.

"We are always looking at ways to allow our customers to get on with their lives with minimum disruption and maximum peace of mind. The WAA fits exactly with these objectives and will be an excellent addition to our service."

For many Fittleworth customers with stoma the anxiety of travelling abroad has been a significant barrier.

Now people can be secure in the knowledge that the values of discretion and quality will be maintained abroad as at home.

Fittleworth has currently identified 11 partners in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and the United States with more to follow.

For more information about Fittleworth, log on to www.fittleworth.net

(c) 2008 Evening Chronicle – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.