Investigating the role of food-specific antibodies in chronic pelvic pain conditions.
Official title: Food-specific antibodies and urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10914073 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain foods might affect people with chronic pelvic pain, like interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis, to find out if changing what you eat can help ease your symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $214,261 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK129226-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914073 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome, or chronic prostatitis who experience persistent pelvic pain and urinary symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pelvic pain syndromes or those whose symptoms are not influenced by dietary factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific food-related antibodies may contribute to urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which includes conditions like interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis. The study aims to explore dietary triggers that could exacerbate symptoms in patients suffering from these debilitating conditions. By examining patient-reported dietary influences and conducting elimination diets, the research seeks to identify potential dietary interventions that could alleviate pain and urinary symptoms. The approach is based on previous findings suggesting that diet may play a significant role in symptom management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary guidelines that help reduce pain and improve quality of life for patients with chronic pelvic pain syndromes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated potential benefits of dietary interventions in similar conditions, although this specific approach remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sutcliffe, Siobhan — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Sutcliffe, Siobhan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exploring allergy-based triggers to prevent UCPPS flare-ups
A short, patient-friendly study will look at whether allergy-related antibodies can help predict and prevent flare-ups in people with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
-
Dual Cromolyn-Cetirizine oral capsule to help men with chronic pelvic pain
A new oral medicine combining cromolyn sodium and cetirizine is being developed to help adults with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain by targeting immune and nerve-related pathways.
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A brief behavioral treatment for chronic pelvic pain
This project is testing a short behavioral therapy to help people manage chronic pelvic pain and related conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
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Chemical Clues in Chronic Pelvic Pain
This project looks for unique chemical patterns in the body that could help us better understand and treat chronic pelvic pain in men and women.
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Using glial cells to reduce visceral pain in bladder conditions
This study is looking at how certain cells in the nervous system can be activated to help reduce the pain that comes with chronic pelvic pain syndrome, especially for those dealing with bladder issues, and it aims to find new treatment options that could eventually help people like you.
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Improving treatment for chronic pelvic pain in men
This study is looking to create a new oral medication to help men under 50 who suffer from chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, by combining two types of medicine that have shown promise, and it will first test these new formulas in dogs to find the best one before trying it in people.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.