About the RAPID-IBD study
The RAPID-IBD pilot study is exploring new ways to speed up diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Backed by the Know Your Sht* campaign and endorsed by Exeter City FC defender Jack Fitzwater.
Who can take part?
Do you have:
- Blood in your poo?
- Abdominal pain that won’t go away?
- Diarrhoea that can’t wait?
If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you may have a problem with your bowel health. If you are aged 16-49, live in the EX postcode area, and have not had investigation with a lower gut endoscopy (colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) in the past two years, you may be able to take part.
Why is this study so important?
Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which affect 1 in 100 people in the UK. They are lifelong conditions causing unpleasant symptoms, and delays in diagnosis are common. Many people feel embarrassed or worried about seeking help, and around one in four patients experience debilitating symptoms for more than a year before they are diagnosed.
The RAPID-IBD study aims to tackle this problem head-on, helping people get diagnosed and treated faster.
What is the study trying to find out?
Many people with IBD wait a long time before they get a diagnosis and start treatment. The longer people wait before they start treatment, the more likely they are to need hospital admission and surgery.
In this study, we are investigating whether giving the public easy access to stool tests might shorten the time to diagnose IBD and enable patients to receive treatment sooner.
How do I take part?
Signing up is quick and easy. To take part, all you need to do is fill in our online study survey and request your free test kit.
Who is running the study?
The RAPID-IBD is led by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. It is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the national patient charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK. The ‘Know Your SH*T campaign has been reviewed and approved by key stakeholders, including the University of Exeter, the NIHR, and ethics committees.