Clinical Research Directory

Magnesium in Gastrointestinal Disease

Individuals with gastrointestinal diseases - such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ileostomy, or bile acid diarrhoea - are at increased risk of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is a vital mineral that supports many essential functions in the body, including muscle contraction, nerve signalling, heart rhythm, and bone health. Deficiency may contribute to fatigue, muscle cramps, abnormal heart rhythms, and reduce the quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of magnesium deficiency in individuals with these conditions and to identify the most accurate and practical methods for assessing magnesium status in clinical care. Although plasma magnesium is commonly used in routine blood tests, it represents only about 1% of the body's total magnesium and may not reflect true magnesium levels within cells or tissues. Hence, this study compares several different ways of measuring magnesium, including: * Plasma magnesium * Magnesium levels in red and white blood cells (PBMC, RBC, and buffy coat) * Magnesium levels in muscle tissue (via biopsy) * A magnesium retention test, based on how much magnesium is excreted after an infusion The study includes four groups: 1. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease. 2. Patients with an ileostomy. 3. Patients with bile acid diarrhoea. 4. Healthy individuals (control group). All participants will provide blood and urine samples, and some may undergo optional biopsies of muscle or intestinal tissue. Participants will also complete questionnaires and undergo tests of muscle strength and body composition. The findings are expected to enhance the understanding and detection of magnesium deficiency in patients with gastrointestinal diseases and to aid in the development of more effective tools for identifying and treating this common yet often overlooked condition.

Acupuncture in Pediatrics and Adolescents With Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CIBD) with its prevalence of 2.6 million people in Europe is diagnosed in 25% before the age of 18 years. Early remission is intended to improve child growth, quality of life and reduce psychological comorbidities. Additionally to conventional drugs one third of pediatric CIBD patients use alternative treatment strategies. However, there is a lack of evidence of acupuncture as complementary medicine in pediatric CIBD on the disease activity and inflammation. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of acupuncture in children with CIBD on the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) and the Weighted Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (sPCDAI), which are non-invasive validated instruments to measure the disease activity. Furthermore, this study aims to investigate the effect of acupuncture on chronic pain, quality of life and parameters of inflammation.