A retired primary school teacher who has undergone four surgeries for Crohn's disease has described new research into the condition as a potential 'complete game-changer'. Maureen Dalgleish, 65, from Edinburgh, was first diagnosed with Crohn's in 1988 at age 28.
Since then, she has had surgery four times – in 2001, 2006, 2013 and 2025 – to manage fibrosis in her bowel, a complication of the disease. She has also spent long periods on liquid or heavily restricted diets to manage symptoms.
Before her most recent surgery, Dalgleish suffered severe abdominal pain and spasms, leading to nausea, fever, dizziness and loss of consciousness. She donated tissue from that surgery to research led by a University of Edinburgh team, hoping to help others.
She said: 'Before my surgery, I was in and out of hospital and it was incredibly exhausting. The idea of having medication to control or stop the fibrosis would be amazing. Although I realise it probably won't benefit me personally, this research could potentially be a complete game-changer for others like me.'
Dalgleish praised the 'marvellous team' at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Currently, surgery remains the only option for fibrosis, as after each operation the disease restarts and the tissue becomes scarred again, leading to blockages.
