ADVANTAGE study

We will be looking for people with chronic visceral pain, particularly those who have severe pain despite few signs of disease. We will also look for those who feel little no or pain despite advanced disease.

We will be looking for people with chronic visceral pain, particularly those who have severe pain despite few signs of disease. We will also look for those who feel little no or pain despite advanced disease. We will record their pain using standard questionnaires but will also explore other ways to capture their experience; for example, using online apps and body sensors to record physical activity and physiological changes, for example heart rate, throughout the day. We hope to discover genes in humans that control pain. We also look to see if the immune system is involved.

Why?

One in twenty individuals in the UK are disabled by visceral pain - approximately as many people as live in the entire country of Wales. The condition is a terrible burden for those who suffer from it: causing pain not only during the most intimate moments of their lives, but also frequently triggering unpredictable episodes of pain "flares" that can need hospital admission.There are many conditions associated with visceral pain including: chronic pancreatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, painful bladder syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and vaginal mesh surgery.

Who?

  • Pain associated with one or more of specified visceral diseases or pain condition diagnosis by an NHS medical professional 
  • Able to provide informed consent electronically
  • Aged 18 years and over 

Where?

NHS Lothian 

When?

Currently recruiting

Recruitment target

250 participants

 

For further details, please contact Priscilla.Fernandez@ed.ac.uk please type “ADVANTAGE patient enquiry” in the email title section. This will help the team reply to your query sooner.

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