The number of new people being diagnosed with Crohn’s and colitis is rising each year. Symptoms can be very different from one person to the next, and can sometimes worsen over time in some people. Unfortunately, we don't know what controls this. Researchers at Newcastle University think that studying the behaviour of human cells in the blood and gut, plus studying gut microbes (bacteria, viruses and fungi) at the time of Crohn’s and colitis diagnosis and repeatedly over the first 2 years after diagnosis may help to better understand why everyone’s experience is so different and what makes us so individual. They hope that doing this will allow us to work out which people most need treatment early after diagnosis, and which treatment to choose.

They are looking for people who have lived experience of Inflammatory Bowel Disease to join our patient advisory group for the study, to help with the design of the study and to provide advice to the study team. 

The types of things you might be asked to provide feedback on include:
- patient facing materials & information
- study protocol (plan)
- study recruitment methods
- participant retention
- dissemination materials & methods

You will be asked to attend 2-3 meetings per year for at least 3 years. (There will be the option to continue your role in the group after this period.) Meetings will last approximately 1-2 hours and take place online via Zoom or Teams. Meeting dates and times will be arranged for a mutually convenient time with group members. The first meeting is expected to take place in early July 2024.

Patient Advisory Group members will receive payment in line with NIHR guidelines for each meeting attended and any ad-hoc activities outside of meetings.

If you are interested in taking part, or would like more information about the study, please complete the form below. By entering your details, you are not committing to take part, but you will be redirected to the study page. You will have the opportunity to change your mind at any time: