Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
PLoS One. 2021 Apr 8;16(4):e0249405. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249405. eCollection 2021.
Faecal sample collection is crucial for gut microbiome research and its clinical applications. However, while patients and healthy volunteers are routinely asked to provide stool samples, their attitudes towards sampling remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate the attitudes of 780 Dutch patients, including participants in a large Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) gut microbiome cohort and population controls, in order to identify barriers to sample collection and provide recommendations for gut microbiome researchers and clinicians. We sent questionnaires to 660 IBD patients and 112 patients with other disorders who had previously been approached to participate in gut microbiome studies. We also conducted 478 brief interviews with participants in our general population cohort who had collected stool samples. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using R. 97.4% of respondents reported that they had willingly participated in stool sample collection for gut microbiome research, and most respondents (82.9%) and interviewees (95.6%) indicated willingness to participate again, with their motivations for participating being mainly altruistic (57.0%). Responses indicated that storing stool samples in the home freezer for a prolonged time was the main barrier to participation (52.6%), but clear explanations of the sampling procedures and their purpose increased participant willingness to collect and freeze samples (P = 0.046, P = 0.003). To account for participant concerns, gut microbiome researchers establishing cohorts and clinicians trying new faecal tests should provide clear instructions, explain the rationale behind their protocol, consider providing a small freezer and inform patients about study outcomes. By assessing the attitudes, motives and barriers surrounding participation in faecal sample collection, we provide important information that will contribute to the success of gut microbiome research and its near-future clinical applications.
粪便样本采集对于肠道微生物组研究及其临床应用至关重要。然而，尽管经常要求患者和健康志愿者提供粪便样本，但他们对采样的态度在很大程度上仍然未知。在这里，我们调查了 780 名荷兰患者的态度，包括炎症性肠病（IBD）肠道微生物组队列和人群对照的参与者，以确定采样的障碍，并为肠道微生物组研究人员和临床医生提供建议。我们向 660 名 IBD 患者和 112 名曾被邀请参加肠道微生物组研究的其他疾病患者发送了问卷。我们还对我们的一般人群队列中收集粪便样本的 478 名参与者进行了简短访谈。使用 R 对数据进行了统计分析。97.4%的受访者报告说，他们自愿参与了肠道微生物组研究的粪便样本采集，大多数受访者（82.9%）和受访者（95.6%）表示愿意再次参与，他们参与的动机主要是利他主义（57.0%）。调查结果表明，在家用冰箱中长时间储存粪便样本是参与的主要障碍（52.6%），但清楚地解释采样程序及其目的增加了参与者采集和冷冻样本的意愿（P=0.046，P=0.003）。为了解决参与者的担忧，建立队列的肠道微生物组研究人员和尝试新粪便检测的临床医生应提供明确的说明，解释其方案背后的原理，考虑提供一个小冰箱，并告知患者研究结果。通过评估参与粪便样本采集的态度、动机和障碍，我们提供了重要的信息，这将有助于肠道微生物组研究及其不久的将来的临床应用的成功。
