Alberta researchers to figure out what causes the incurable condition have launched the most comprehensive study on inflammatory bowel diseases.

In Alberta, least 15,000 patients are believed to be suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Dr Leo Dieleman, the project's clinical research co-leader, said, “Alberta’s one of the hot spots (for IBD).”

Not much is known about the disease but it is common as Type 1 diabetes.

To complete questionnaires and provide stool, urine and blood specimens for a study, about 1,000 patient volunteers and their family members are needed.

Dieleman said, disparity between sufferers versus non-sufferers as far as genetics, diet, gut bacteria and environmental factors, would be investigated in the study.

Physicians from the U of A, University of Calgary, University of Toronto and University of Manitoba are working on the project in which researchers, veterinarians, mice, cattle and dogs are being used.

In Crohn’s and colitis chronic inflammation of the intestines occurs that further causes bloody stools, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss.

U of A professor Karen Madsen, the team's co-leader of basic science research said, “People in their 20s are generally effected by this disease but now children aged seven to eight years old are also being going to doctors due to this disease.”