A PROSPECTIVE INTERVENTIONAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF HYPOXIA ON HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS AND PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: THE ALTITUDE IBD STUDY

Vavricka S.R.; Zeitz J.; Madanchi M.; Ruiz P.A.; Biedermann L.; Morsy Y.; Yilmaz B.; Scharl M.; Scharl S.; Gassmann M.; Lutz T.A.; Kunz A.; Bron D.; Misselwitz B.; MacPherson A.J.; Rogler G.; Greuter T. · American Journal of Gastroenterology (2025) · DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003888

Resumen

Background: – Retrospective data suggest association of high-altitude exposure and inflammatory bowel disease flares. Knowledge about underlying pathogenesis remains limited.Methods: – This prospective interventional trial evaluated the effect of 3h hypobaric low-pressure chamber exposure on 11 Crohn’s disease (CD), 9 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and 10 controls.Results: – Proportion of patients with clinical and endoscopic activity did not increase. However, 33.3% of UC patients experienced a flare. More patients had calprotectin-based activity (>100ug/g) after the intervention (26.7 vs. 63.3%, p=0.013). Transient changes in certain bacterial strains were seen in controls and UC patients.Conclusion: – Low-pressure chamber exposure – although the primary outcome was not met - led to a flare in a third of UC patients, with changes in calprotectin levels and specific bacterial strains.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia