Devon Study Launches Home Test to Expedite IBD Diagnosis

A new research initiative in Devon aims to significantly reduce the delays in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by introducing a simple home test. The RAPID-IBD study, spearheaded by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with the University of Exeter, is part of the larger ‘Know Your Sh*t’ campaign. The study invites volunteers aged 16 to 49 residing in the EX postcode area who are experiencing unexplained gut symptoms.

IBD, which includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affects approximately one in 100 individuals in the UK. Symptoms can range from persistent abdominal pain and urgent diarrhoea to blood in the stool. The initiative seeks to address a significant issue: many patients endure serious symptoms for over a year before receiving a proper diagnosis.

Jack Fitzwater, a professional footballer and defender for Exeter City, has shared his personal journey with IBD. He expressed the profound impact the disease had on his daily life, stating, “It was everyday life, constantly going to the toilet. It affected me in football, outside of football, and in my relationships with friends and family.”

Fitzwater continued, “I became irritable, and until I got the right diagnosis and medication, I was stuck in a cycle of trying my best to feel well while never really being well at all.” He emphasized the importance of quicker diagnoses, especially for younger individuals, noting the fear many face when seeking help for uncomfortable symptoms. “That’s why a campaign like this can only benefit everyone,” he added.

Improving Diagnosis and Treatment Access

Delays in diagnosis are common within the IBD community. According to the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, around one-quarter of patients experience serious symptoms for more than a year prior to diagnosis. Researchers believe that providing direct access to a simple stool test can empower individuals to take charge of their health and reduce these delays.

Dr. Tariq Ahmad, a consultant gastroenterologist at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, stated, “Reducing the time to diagnosis and earlier treatment could reduce emergency hospital admissions, limit the need for surgery, and improve quality of life for those affected.”

The study is supported by funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the national charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Catherine Winsor, director of services and evidence at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, highlighted the urgency of the issue, saying, “We know that people are waiting too long to be diagnosed with Crohn’s and Colitis, and one of the big challenges is that the symptoms overlap with those of other conditions.”

Winsor emphasized that simple, accessible stool tests could revolutionize the diagnostic process for those in pain. “The sooner someone is diagnosed with IBD, starts on the right treatment and gets back to living the life they want, the better it is for everyone,” she stated.

The RAPID-IBD study represents a significant step forward in the fight against IBD, offering hope for improved diagnosis and treatment for countless individuals across Devon and beyond.