Maag- Darm- en Levercentrum

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

The four members of the scientific staff that perform basic, translational and clinical research in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are Dr. Andrea van der Meulen, Dr. Jeroen Maljaars, Prof. dr. Hein Verspaget and Prof. Daan Hommes. Our research is focused on several aspects of IBD, with special attention for extra intestinal manifestations of both Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis, E-health and value-based medicine.

Our current projects:

  • Stem cell therapy for IBD
    • PhD student: drs. Marieke Barnhoorn, MD
    • Post-doctoral researcher: drs. Ramona Bruckner
    • PI: prof dr. ir. H. Verspaget, dr. AE van der Meulen – de Jong and dr. L.J.A.C. Hawinkels
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation. A randomised controlled trial comparing FECal Microbiota Transplantation after BUDesonide or placebo induction in patients with ulcerative colitis: the FECBUD trial
    • PhD student: drs. Emilie van Lingen, MD
    • PI: dr. Josbert keller (gastroenterologist MCH, the Hague), prof. dr E. Kuijper, microbiologist, dr. AE van der Meulen – de Jong        
  • IBD in the elderly
    • PhD student: drs. Vera Ascher, MD
    • PI: dr. PWJ Maljaars
  • IBD and nutrition
    • Post DOC: dr. Ilse Molendijk
    • PI: dr. PWJ Maljaars
  • Implementation of quality improvements within the IBD care
    • PhD student: drs. Niene Peek, gastroenterologist
    • PI:     dr. A.E. van der Meulen-de Jong and dr. L. Van Bodegom-Vos
  • High-Dimensional Single-Cell Analysis By Mass Cytometry (CyTOF) Of The Mucosal Intestinal Immune System In Health And Disease
    • Goal: To unravel the role of immune subsets in intestinal pathology using a system-wide analysis approach by combining mass cytometry with computational tools
    • Collaboration with the department of Immunohematology and Bloodtransfusion
    • PhD student: Vincent van Unen
    • PI: Prof dr Frits Koning
    • Sub-investigator: dr AE van der Meulen – de Jong
    • Member of the TIMID consortium

eHEALTH

  • Goal: Development and validation of a telemedicine tool to enable continuous monitoring of PROMs and PREMs of all inflammatory bowel disease patients.
  • Collaboration with Maastricht University Medical Center, and member of Stichting MijnIBDcoach
  • PI LUMC: dr AE van der Meulen - de Jong
  • Project goal: Development and validation of a telemedicine tool to enable continuous monitoring of PROMs and PREMs of all inflammatory bowel disease patients.
  • Background and motivation:

Our pragmatic, randomised trial (n=909) compared the telemedicine tool myIBDcoach with standard outpatient care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, regardless of disease course or treatment. We found that use of myIBDcoach resulted in a reduction in outpatient visits, telephone consultations, and hospitalisations, and increased adherence to medication. In addition, it was safe and patient-reported quality of healthcare remained consistently high. Source

Collaboration projects

As active member of the ICC (Initiative Crohn and Colitis) we perform many multicenter studies. 

Clinical research into new therapies

On the one hand, we conduct our own research into new treatment methods, and on the other we take part in so-called 'clinical trials' (medicine research). In this way we want to operate at the forefront of the development and application of new treatments. In this way, we can also offer patients therapies that are not yet covered by regular care. These studies are organized by the Trial Office of our department, under direct supervision of dr AE van der Meulen – de Jong and dr. PWJ Maljaars.