Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. The Olmsted NAFLD Epidemiology Study (TONES)

   Rochester, Minn.

   About this study

   Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the world and a major public health issue in the US. It is estimated to affect 1 in 4 adults and it is most commonly found in people who are overweight or obese. Because it is a silent disease (without symptoms until end stage) and the lab tests can be normal, it can be missed in early stages. The fat in the liver can lead to inflammation and eventually scar deposition, which can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer and need for liver transplantation.

   This study aims to assess how common this disease is in Olmsted County, what markers can identify the disease early to prevent progression to cirrhosis and what other medical problems occur in people with NAFLD in addition to the liver complications. We plan to enroll a large number of adults, assess their liver with state-of-the-art tests available at Mayo Clinic and follow them over several years to monitor for disease progression and other health complications. The ultimate goal of the study is to identify new markers that predict presence of fatty liver and poor health outcomes, in order to improve population health in the community.

   Participation eligibility

   Participants will be identified from the Olmsted County population age 18 or older.

   Inclusion criteria:

   1.         Adults age 18 years or older

   2.         Olmsted County residents at the time of study entry

    

   Exclusion criteria:

   1.         Pediatric population (age<18)

   2.         Unwilling to participate or unable to consent

   3.         Known liver disease other than NAFLD at the time of survey

   4.         Pregnant women

   5.         Alcohol use in excess (14 drinks or more per week for women and 21 drinks or more per week for men)

2. Investigating the Link Between Type 2 Immunity and NAFLD in Human Obesity- AIM 1

   Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   This study is being done to better understand the relationship between inflammation in your AT, abnormal deposition of fat around your liver and how this affects its appearance and function and ultimately insulin resistance.

3. Novel Stomal Occlusion Device in Patients With a Brooke Ileostomy

   Rochester, Minn.

   This investigation constitutes an initial evaluation of the stoma occlusion device in humans with a mature permanent Brooke ileostomy. The overall objective of this study is to assess feasibility and initial operating characteristics of a novel stoma occlusion device. The study will recruit 20 patients for placement of the device into the mature Brooke ileostomy and subsequent 2 hour observation period. The device will remain in the ileostomy for up to 2 hours.

4. A Study to Evaluate the Effect of POSE2 on Long-term Gastric Motor Function

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of a modified gastroplication technique for weight loss in five patients with obesity, and includes physiologic appraisal of gastric emptying (via gastric emptying breath test) and post-prandial gastric accommodation (via SPECT).

5. Mucosal and Microbiota Changes During Acute Campylobacteriosis

   Rochester, Minn.

   Gastrointestinal (GI) infection with Campylobacter causes inflammation in the bowel and can change bacteria in the gut. Certain individuals with Campylobacter infection are also known to develop chronic bowel problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The researchers are doing this study to understand if changes in gut bacteria and gut mucosal lining during an acute infection can help identify individuals who might be at risk for developing problems in the future.

6. A Bio-bank for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Associated Neoplasia

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to collect blood and stool samples to validate and improve the performance of stool and blood DNA markers for inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal neoplasia critical to the long-term goal of improving effectiveness of neoplasia detection in patients using non-invasive biomarkers to assist colonoscopy and radiographic screening. 

7. Cohort of Patients With Fatty Liver Disease

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this research is to create a registry of patients having or at risk for metabolic liver disease for investigations into the molecular pathogenesis of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and end-stage liver disease.