Rachel Hargest, Senior Lecturer & Consultant Surgeon; the University of Cardiff.
IBD (see 1. above) is sometimes linked to a very severe ulcerating skin disorder called pyoderma gangrenosum. This is very difficult to treat, it causes severe pain and if it occurs near an intestinal stoma (ileostomy or colostomy) it may make it almost impossible for the stoma bags to adhere to the skin. Leakage of faeces from a poorly adherent stoma bag is a nightmare for any patient.
This study is examining some cellular components of the skin so as to observe whether standard medical treatment for IBD will improve skin function and healing. There are many new and very effective treatments for IBD but we do not know if they will improve the skin disorder. This is a completely novel area of clinical research into a very debilitating skin condition.
This page was last updated on 20-07-2011