PREdiCCt (The PRognostic effect of Environmental factors in Crohn’s and Colitis) is a UK-wide cohort study investigating which environmental, genetic, and microbial factors are associated with disease flare in patients with Crohn’s
disease, ulcerative colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU).
The study aims to recruit 1550 patients with Crohn’s and a further 1550 patients with either colitis or IBDU. Patients are recruited after being in remission for at least two months. During recruitment, participants complete initial questionnaires. Shortly after recruitment, patients complete lifestyle and environmental questionnaires and a four-day weighed food diary via a web-portal. Saliva and stool samples for genetic and microbial analysis respectively are sent in by participants. The stool sample is also used to measure gut inflammation by using faecal calprotectin levels.
The progress of patients is then monitored over two years. Participants are asked to complete monthly questionnaires through the web-portal. If a participant experiences a flare then they are asked to notify the PREdiCCt team and provide an additional stool sample.
How the environmental and microorganism factors recorded at the time of the flare differ with the baseline data is of interest to this study. The difference in baseline measurements between those who flare and those who do not will also be investigated.
PREdiCCt is kindly funded by Cure Crohn’s & Colitis, Crohn’s and Colitis in Childhood, NHS Lothian and the Chief Scientist Office
If you (or someone you know) would like to join our study, please fill in the form on our website or get in touch on social media. We are on Twitter and Facebook.
