HVN COMFORT-PSYKI Metadata Record - The Christchurch IBS cohort to investigate mechanisms for gut relief and improved transit - Psyllium and Kiwifruit translation study

This metadata record and it's attached files make statements about the kinds of data collected as part of this research, and set out policies for governance of that data, now and in the future. 

Description: The Christchurch IBS cohort to investigate mechanisms for gut relief and improved transit (COMFORT) was launched in 2016 as a systems approach to gain a wide range of clinical, psychological, biological, and, as a novelty, dietary data. We believe that the approach used by the COMFORT study is the ideal basis to evaluate food as treatment options in FGIDs. 

To test this, we have chosen two SunGold (TM) Kiwifruit a day and compare this with a fibre matched psyllium preparation in a randomized cross-over study over the course of a maximum of 16 weeks, with each intervention being between 3 and 4 weeks long. We hypothesise that the Interventions will improve gastrointestinal symptoms as assessed by GSRS ratings in the FC/IBS-C group, as well as increase bowel movements. Additionally, we hope to find differences in microbiome and metabolome depending on the participant groups and interventions