Crossed Grain

2 | SUPPORTER NEWS Research Conference 2019 A FOND FAREWELL We wish a fond farewell to Frances Jones, who is stepping down as the Organiser of the Glasgow Local Group after an incredible 44 years. She has achieved so much, helping countless numbers of people affected by coeliac disease in the Glasgow area and providing invaluable advice and support for those on a gluten free diet. Her incredible efforts were even recognised with a much deserved British Empire Medal in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours. Coeliac UK would like to thank Frances from the bottom of our hearts for everything she has done and wish her the very best for the future. NTT EXPLAINED As your membership renewal date comes closer, you may receive a call from a company called NTT Fundraising. We have worked with them for many years and they help fill a vital role that we would not be able to do on our own. We only have a small Membership team and they are constantly working hard to support you through the Helpline and other services. NTT may call to ask if you would like to renew and pay your membership fee by direct debit, spreading the cost over the year. It’s also an opportunity to add a much needed donation. Many of our members donate on top of their direct debits and we’re so grateful. Gifts like this are extremely important as we receive no government funding. On Friday 29 March the best and the brightest in coeliac disease research and related fields descended on the Royal College of Physicians, London for Coeliac UK’s Research Conference. This year’s theme was ‘The gluten free diet; a solution for everyone?’ and saw some exciting updates from Coeliac UK funded researchers, as well as other leading experts in the field. How research funded by Coeliac UK is going to help our community Post diagnosis care - project by Dr Manpreet Bains National guidance says that people with coeliac disease should be offered an annual review. But we know that’s not happening for everyone. What do we want for the future? Guidelines underpinned by better evidence, and consistent follow up care for people who need it. How has the research helped? We now know how much opinions differ amongst healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients. We have also discovered that many HCPs aren’t convinced by the evidence for current guidelines, or don’t know about them at all! What’s next? More research to underpin revised guidelines. For a more in depth look at this project visit www.coeliac.org.uk/CDfollowup. Exploring the coeliac ‘microbiome’ and ‘fermentome’ - Prof Ramesh Arasaradnam What’s it all about? How bacteria within the gut differs in people with coeliac disease. What are the findings? Prof Arasaradnam discovered that some organic compounds, unique to people with coeliac disease, can be tracked through biological samples (eg urine). And people with the condition have lower diversity in their gut bacteria, even after following a gluten free diet. Why is this important? There’s still so much we don’t know about coeliac disease, and whilst more research is needed to assess the impacts of gut bacteria changes, we have significantly added to our knowledge of how the condition affects the body. Find out more at www.coeliac.org.uk/coeliacmicrobiome . Three exciting new projects to boost business and improve your life Work is now starting on our three projects awarded joint funding with Innovate UK: ● Software to improve management of coeliac disease ● Better gluten free bread, both in nutrition and flavour ● Better, non invasive diagnostics “Our research really highlighted the role that Coeliac UK has. Every patient we interviewed referred to it as the first point of contact for immediate issues and questions. It’s a really important resource.” Dr Manpreet Bains For more on our Innovate projects check www.coeliac.org.uk/innovate . And for full updates from the conference, including videos of talks, visit www.coeliac.org.uk/RC2019 .