GRANT. Magnus Simrén is receiving SEK 6.7 million from AFA Insurance for research on the common intestinal disorder IBS. The project looks for new answers to patients’ chronic abdominal pain and will also develop and evaluate new treatment methods.
Approximately 15 per cent of the Swedish population suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Despite the disorder being this common, there are no effective treatment options. Magnus Simrén, University of Gothenburg, is receiving a research grant of SEK 6,771,000 from AFA Insurance in order to increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of pain and other symptoms associated with IBS, and to use this knowledge to develop and evaluate new effective and evidence-based treatment options.
Earlier research suggests that a complex interaction of factors, both in the bowels and the nervous system, is the cause of the abdominal pain experienced with IBS, but more detailed research is needed.
“There are most likely variations between different individuals with IBS and probably between patient subgroups within the IBS population as well. Some will likely have a more clearly deviating intestinal flora, immune system and barrier function locally in the intestine, while others primarily have an issue with how their brain interprets nerve signals from the bowels. Our project is intended to teach us more about the importance of these various mechanisms and how they interact to generate pain,” says Magnus Simrén, professor of gastroenterology at the Department of internal medicine and clinical nutrition.
Magnus Simrén and his group will also develop and evaluate a number of new treatment methods; hypnosis focusing on the intestine, probiotics, anti-inflammatory treatment, patient-nurse support and education, as well as a more effective use of nerve modulation treatment. These treatment methods are based on the results of earlier and ongoing studies on how IBS affects the body and the symptoms reported in connection with the disorder.
“The goal is to improve quality of life and to reduce the symptoms experienced and the sick leave in this large patient group. That would in turn lead to a decreased cost to society,” says Magnus Simrén.
With this grant, AFA Insurance is offering a total of SEK 50 million to 13 new research projects on chronic pain. A common feature of all research supported by AFA Insurance is that it contributes to practical gains in working life. As previously reported in Akademiliv, Professor Elisabeth Hansson also received funding from AFA as the result of this call for proposals: www.akademiliv.se/2015/08/26567/
