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New study to test postoperative hydration solution in IBD
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Entrinsic Health Solutions and Brigham and Women’s Hospital announced they will launch a pilot study to test the efficacy of a new hydration solution for patients with inflammatory bowel disease who undergo colectomy.
Enterade is glucose-free drink that researchers will test against popular sports drinks, the current standard of care.
“Patients with IBD who have undergone a colectomy often have difficulty maintaining an adequate fluid balance and rely on their small intestine to absorb water, which significantly limits absorption," Joshua Korzenik, MD, principal investigator at Brigham and Women's Hospital said in a press release. “Therefore, colectomy patients often receive oral rehydration solutions, like sports drinks, or IV hydration to supplement their fluid intake. Our hypothesis is that substituting Enterade as an oral rehydration solution may help these patients better maintain fluid balance.”
The single-blind study will include 18 patients from the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and other participating health centers. Researchers will randomly assign patients to treatment with either Enterade or a sports drink.
The patients will go through a two-week screening period while researchers determine baseline data. Then they will receive 8 oz. of treatment twice a day for four weeks.
Investigators will then assess any changes in the patients’ gastrointestinal output to see if Enterade affects chloride secretion. They will also assess patients’ overall well-being using questionnaires, activity trackers and other measurements.
“We are hopeful that this study will demonstrate a new and effective option for increased fluid absorption, decreased GI output, and improved hydration status increasing overall well-being and energy,” Stephen Gatto, CEO at Entrinsic Health Solutions said in the press release. “Enterade's glucose-free formulation and specific blend of amino acids offers an alternative to the current standard of care and is expected to restore normal bowel function.”
Disclosures: Gatto is employed by Entrinsic Health Solutions. Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease could not confirm Korzenik’s relevant financial disclosures at the time of reporting.