# The Role of Fiber in the Etiopathogenesis of Fecal Incontinence

> **NIH NIH K23** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $199,800

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The candidate is an accomplished neurogastroenterologist with formal training in epidemiological methods and
a commitment to a career in clinical and translational research in the study of functional GI disease. The
candidate’s long-term career goal is to become an independently-funded physician investigator, maintaining a
clinical research program in functional GI diseases. The candidate’s short-term career goals are to: 1) develop
large analytic datasets based upon established cohorts; 2) design and interpret metagenomic data, including
application of microbiota-environment interaction methodology; 3) acquire skills in the analysis and interpretation
of gut metabolomics data; 4) evolve clinical trial skills into multimodal models with potential for mechanistic and
causative analyses; 5) establish and maintain a longitudinal cohort with detailed dietary, lifestyle, and physiologic
measurements of subjects with FI; 6) produce the data and publications necessary to transition into a successful
R01 application. This application outlines the institutional commitment, research plan, career development
activities, and key mentors involved to ensure the candidate accomplishes these goals. In prior work, the
candidate has demonstrated that dietary fiber is associated with a lower risk of incident fecal incontinence (FI)
among elderly women, suggesting a preventative role for fiber in the development of FI. Nonetheless, data on
the influence of fiber in other populations and potential biological mechanisms underlying associations with FI
are lacking. In this proposal, the candidate seeks to fill this knowledge gap through a comprehensive examination
of the complex interaction between fiber and alterations in the intestinal microbial environment in the etiology
and severity of FI. The specific goals of this study are to 1) estimate the relative benefit of increased dietary fiber
in the development and progression of FI using large well-characterized cohorts; 2) determine specific
metagenomic profiles associated with prevalent FI and determine the mediating effect of dietary fiber on risk of
FI; 3) examine the effects of fiber supplementation on symptom severity, anorectal physiology, and the gut
microbiome in women with IBS-D and FI. As an integral part of this proposal, the candidate’s career development
will be complemented by participation in advanced coursework to develop expertise in nutritional epidemiology,
clinical trial design and conduct, and bioinformatics including the approach to metagenomic and metabolomic
data. A formal mentorship committee, consisting of multidisciplinary experts in nutritional epidemiology, the
microbiome, and GI motility will provide supervision, guidance, and assistance for the candidate to achieve his
goals. The research environment, which includes the Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, the Channing
Laboratory, and the Harvard School of Public Health will provide a rich, collaborativ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10228559
- **Project number:** 5K23DK120945-02
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Kyle Staller
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $199,800
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-05 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10228559

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10228559, The Role of Fiber in the Etiopathogenesis of Fecal Incontinence (5K23DK120945-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10228559. Licensed CC0.

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