GUTFIT Cohort Study

GUTFIT stands for Gastrointestinal Understanding of Functional Constipation In an Urban Chinese and Urban non-Chinese New Zealander Cohort.

We know that the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) varies between geographical regions and ethnicities. Currently, the diagnosis of FGIDs, including functional constipation, is based on the individual’s perception and interpretation of symptoms.

These can be influenced by language, and by both social and cultural perceptions of the questionnaires upon which diagnoses are made. Therefore, we want to better characterise the clinical, biological, and physiological markers of functional constipation between different ethnicities in NZ urban areas.

Populations of different ethnicities are expected to have different dietary and lifestyle habits. Therefore, we want to find out whether Chinese and non-Chinese living in NZ urban areas have distinct clinical symptoms and physiological characteristics of functional constipation.

In this study, we hypothesise that genetic and cultural differences between ethnicities may influence gut physiology, how the brain interacts with the gut, the gut microbiota, and circulating metabolites. Through this study, we hope to identify opportunities for using New Zealand foods to ameliorate functional constipation in both Chinese and non-Chinese populations.

You can take part if you:

• are 18-55 years old
• have a BMI between 18 – 28kg/m2
• are either Chinese or non-Chinese living in urban New Zealand
• either have functional constipation (FC), or a healthy gut. *From May 2023 our research team are only recruiting people with functional constipation.

The study visits will be conducted at the Liggins Institute in Auckland and your mahi / help will be thanked with $35 of shopping vouchers (for completing 1 enrolment visit and 1 assessment visit).

You will also receive a copy of your individual health reports, similar to the health report you  receive during a routine health check-up. Additionally, you will also get to keep the MRI images of your own brain.

The following procedures will be required to complete the study:

• Attending 2 visits of 1.5 to 2 hours over the course of 1 month.
• We will collect your blood, urine, and faecal samples, and perform an MRI scan of your brain.
• You will need to complete health-related questionnaires and keep food and symptoms diaries.
• You will maintain your current lifestyle and dietary habits, i.e., we do NOT give advice and treatment.

Furthermore, you can also choose to participate in the following optional procedures:

• Provide an additional faecal sample to help us understand how gut microbes digest seaweed.
• Attend a further 3 assessment visits of 30 mins each, 1 month apart, which will be thanked with $25 of shopping vouchers per visit.

There is no substantial risk. However, you cannot participate in the MRI brain scan if you have implanted medical devices that could pose a magnetic risk, piercings (that cannot be removed) or metal-containing tattoos, or previous injuries resulting in a risk of metal debris remaining in the body.

If you are interested in finding out more about this study, please contact nutrition.mobility@auckland.ac.nz.

If you are are interested in other ongoing studies on constipation, please click the link below to learn about the KINGS Gastric study.

This project has been reviewed and approved by the New Zealand Health & Disability Ethics Committees (HDEC). Reference: 2022EXP11122.