The Gutsy Group, through the generous support of the Tattersalls George Adams Foundation, has committed $80,000 to a clinical study into the prevention of Crohn’s disease after surgery. The research project is titled ‘The Post-Operative Crohn’s Endoscopic Recurrence (“POCER”) Study’. This project is being undertaken by Professor Michael Kamm and Dr. Peter de Cruz from St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne

This project was chosen by The Gutsy Group as it represents a novel approach to a common problem and is the first study of its type. It has the potential to enhance both the clinical and basic science knowledge base that is evolving regarding the prevention of Crohn’s after surgery. This project will be jointly funded with the NMHRC which has separately agreed to donate $392,000 to the project.

The project’s results will be important because they have the potential to affect clinical practice in the near future. The basic science component of exploring the microbiological reasons why Crohn’s disease may reoccur after an operation has never been studied. They will also potentially illuminate the underlying mechanisms in the intestinal immune system that are responsible for causing Crohn’s disease. The study has recently commenced in over 20 teaching hospitals in Australia and New Zealand and will run for 3 years.