Personalising care by focusing on patient-reported outcomes

What is this research looking at? 

Many treatments for Crohn’s and Colitis focus on improving medical test results. But sometimes patients do not feel better even when these test results improve. Researchers want to use patient-reported outcomes to monitor the success of treatments. They want patients to have more say in what treatment option works best for them.

Researchers will look at patient-reported data on wellbeing, and compare it with laboratory measures of inflammation. They will use this to learn more about why people respond differently to the same treatments. The researchers hope to develop a way to better tailor treatments to the individual, allowing people living with IBD to shape their care.

What do researchers think this could mean for people with IBD?  

The researchers hope this will improve patient wellbeing and quality of life. If patient follow-up can be done by self-reported questionnaires this should be easier for patients. 
They believe that being able to personalise Crohn's and Colitis care will lead to more precise and effective treatment options. 

Who is leading this research: Dr. Matthias Friedrich and Dr Alissa Walsh

Funding: £126,000

Duration: 36 months

Official title of application: Interrogating patient-reported outcomes to inform treatment of IBD.