Scientists find simple urine test could offer a non-invasive approach for diagnosis of IBS patients

A recent study by TMIC’s Britz-McKibbin Research Group at McMaster University has identified new biomarkers for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) after comparing the metabolite profiles of urine samples from a cohort of IBS patients to a control group of healthy adults.

Speaking on the study’s findings, lead author Dr. Philip Britz-McKibbin commented, “We were interested in finding if there is a better way to detect and monitor IBS that avoids invasive colonoscopy procedures while also giving us better insights into its underlying mechanisms.”

In addition to the study, the Britz-McKibbin Research Group is currently expanding its research to discover new biomarkers in urine that can differentiate Crohn’s disease from ulcerative colitis in children. The group aims to avoid future colonoscopies altogether, and hopes that their research may allow for rapid screening of various chronic gut disorders more accurately and at a lower cost.

Visit McMaster University’s Brighter World blog to find out more about the study

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