FIRST Study

Before the study visit:

• Phone Screening
  • You will be asked to complete a phone screening to determine if you are eligible for the study.
• Stool Sample
  • You will be given instructions on how to collect a stool sample, along with a stool sample collection kit. We ask that you to bring a stool sample to the study visit if produced within 18 hours before the visit. If this is not possible, you and a member of our study staff will plan for a future drop off date.
• Fast 8 hours prior to visit
  • You will be asked to not eat or drink anything other than water for 8 hours before the study visit. This ensures the accuracy of blood tests.

During the study visit:

All parts of the visit can be done in either English or Spanish. If study personnel on-site do not speak your preferred language, our team’s medical interpreter will join your study session by telephone or video-chat.

• Fasting Blood Sample
  • An intra-venous catheter will be inserted into your arm by a phlebotomist for blood collections during the visit. Please note that no more than 2 attempts will be made to insert the catheter.
• Mixed Meal Tolerance Test (MMTT)
  • Following the fasted sample, we will give you a drink such as Boost or Ensure.
  • We will collect the additional blood samples 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after consuming the drink.
• Questionnaires
  • During the MMTT, we will ask you to complete several paper questionnaires. You will be asked about health topics such as eating behaviors, diet, physical activity, gastrointestinal symptoms. You are free to skip any questions you do not want to answer and may stop study procedures at any time. The entirety of the study visit will take approximately 3-4 hours.

If you drive to and complete the study visit at our Durham or Manchester study sites, please note that you will receive a mileage reimbursement (up to 50 miles each way) of $0.50 per mile. Individuals who drive to either of our sites but do not complete the study will NOT be reimbursed.