AI tools – for patients with IBD
“Pain, fatigue, and bleeding. This is everyday life for people with inflammatory bowel diseases,” says Jonas Halfvarson, researcher at Örebro University. The EU project miGut-Health has developed AI tools for patients and has examined biomarkers that could help prevent IBD.
The miGut-Health project is now in its third year. In the first two years, researchers validated and identified biomarkers linked to IBD and gastrointestinal health, created personalised prevention measures, and developed digital tools.
Biomarkers are measurable substances found in bodily fluids. They can be used for early diagnosis – sometimes even before the patient develops symptoms. The project has tested previously identified biomarkers to verify their diagnostic usefulness. Additionally, researchers have been searching for new biomarkers.
“The next step is to evaluate which of these have the potential to be further developed into products that can be implemented in healthcare. The research conducted so far allows for identifying individuals who may develop problems later in life and are diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease,” explains Jonas Halfvarson.
Genes identified that could contribute
Researchers have analysed genes associated with IBD in various populations and identified genes that may contribute to the disease.
“Enhanced understanding of the disease's onset could serve as a foundation for developing new pharmaceuticals and other strategies that may help decrease the risk of disease progression.”
Meanwhile, researchers have begun developing tools and software to analyse genetic and clinical data. For example, AI tools can monitor what patients eat, while other tools measure fatigue, track disease activity, and assess lifestyle factors such as physical activity and sleep patterns.
Insight into patients’ daily lives
“Developing AI tools that can track patients’ health empowers them to take control of their lives and be more involved in decisions regarding their disease,” says Jonas Halfvarson.
Moreover, these tools enable researchers to gain insight into patients’ daily lives.
“For instance, we’ve confirmed that psychosocial factors, such as stress, significantly impact the dietary choices of individuals with IBD,” says Jonas Halfvarson.
In addition, researchers found that some T cells respond to different fungal-based foods, like yeast. They will keep exploring how patients can modify their diet to lessen inflammation and disease symptoms.
“These tools enable us to gather information that will help us provide patients with treatments tailored to each individual’s needs in the future,” explains Jonas Halvarsson, and continues:
“Over the next year, we will continue our research on IBD while exploring ways to enhance the quality of life for patients. Our goal is to raise awareness about the effects of IBD on their health.”
If you have IBD and want to help raise awareness about the disease, please join the campaign by sharing your story. Learn more here.
- Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, the miGut-Health project involves researchers from nine countries. It started in 2023 and will run for four years. Researchers collaborate with patient organisations, among others, and have three goals: early detection of symptoms, disease prevention, and improved treatment.
- The researchers are comparing the gut flora of patients who are ill, those at risk of becoming ill, and both sick and healthy individuals. Samples are collected from several countries, with particular interest in the Faroe Islands due to its highest global rate of IBD among small countries.
- Read more about the miGut-Health project on Örebro University’s and the international project’s websites.
- Listen to Jonas Halfvarson discuss his research.
Text: Linda Harradine
Photo: Håkan Risberg, Region Örebro County
Translation: Jerry Gray