The TWIN study: research with twins into chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
In the TWIN study, we investigate the effects of environmental factors, diet, changes in the immune system, gut microbiota, mucosal function, metabolites, and genetic factors on (the development of) chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), namely Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Research in twins on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Onderzoek bij tweelingen naar de ziekte van Crohn en colitis ulcerosa
Scan the QR code above with your phone to watch a video about this topic. Or watch the video via:
What is the purpose of the research?
Various factors play a role in the development of IBD, such as the immune system, heredity, bacteria in the gut, stress, and smoking.
The aim of this study is to gain more insight into the etiology of these chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. In the long term, we hope to be able to detect and treat the disease earlier. Greater insight into the etiology of IBD could even provide starting points for new treatments in the long term, although that is of course still a long way off.
Who can participate in the study?
For this study, we are looking for three groups of twins in the Netherlands, namely:
- Twins older than 16 years, where one of them has been diagnosed with IBD.
- Twins older than 16 years who have both been diagnosed with IBD.
- Twins older than 16 years, neither of whom has been diagnosed with IBD.
Both identical and fraternal twins can participate in the study.
What does participating in the research entail?
If you participate in the study, this means the following for you:
- You complete questionnaires (online or on paper) about your medical history, (possible) symptoms of IBD, medication use, possible risk factors for IBD, family history, diet, and quality of life.
- We will take a blood sample from you and collect your urine and stool.
- We will take a saliva sample from you.
- During an endoscopy (for which you do not need to undergo bowel preparation), we take tissue samples (biopsies) from the last part of the large intestine, namely the rectum.
- We ask whether we may also collect materials from you when you undergo a colonoscopy as part of your routine care. This includes biopsies from the last part of the small intestine and the entire large intestine.
We ask you to return annually, preferably for several years in a row.
Would you like to participate?
If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Drs. S.L. Dijkstra (physician-researcher) by sending an email to s.l.dijkstra-6@umcutrecht.nl or to call 088 75 50722.
Twins with IBD in the Netherlands can be approached by their own doctor about this research.
Who are the researchers?
The research team consists of:
Principal Investigators:
Prof. Dr. B. Oldenburg - gastroenterologist
Prof. Dr. F. van Wijk - Associate Professor of Immunology
Coordinating researcher:
Dr. S.L. Dijkstra - physician-researcher
In the media
- A episode of Clever Minds (May 30, 2026) in which Prof. Dr. B. Oldenburg discusses Chronic disease and the TWIN study in detail.
- A Interview with Eelco Brand about the TWIN study in Crohniek 2, 2017 - CCUVN.
- A article about the TWIN study In MDL-Life 1, 2018 (www.mdl-life.nl).
- A article about the TWIN study on the UMC Utrecht News Platform, 2019.
- A broadcast of Doctors of Tomorrow about the TWIN study (starts at minute 25:20).
- A podcast episode of Through the Eye of the Scoop about inflammatory bowel diseases in twins with Bas Oldenburg and Eelco Brand.
Contact
If you have questions about this study or other studies within our Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, you can contact Dr. S.L. Dijkstra (physician-researcher) by telephone or send an email to s.l.dijkstra-6@umcutrecht.nl.
T: 088 75 50722
Thank you for your response!