Scientists hunt for clues to chronic pain in IBD — no treatment, just answers.
NCT ID NCT04995224
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is tracking over 25,000 people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to understand why many continue to have abdominal pain even when their disease is in remission. Researchers will use questionnaires, blood and stool samples, heart rate recordings, and genetic data to identify risk factors. The goal is to build a model that can predict who will develop chronic pain, which could eventually lead to better prevention or treatment strategies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors predict which IBD patients are likely to develop chronic pain, and point toward new ways to prevent or manage that pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It will not directly test any therapy, and the findings may take years to translate into practical help for patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 25,600 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2021
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population is males and females over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease within the past 6 months before enrolment.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria : * Males or females who are over 18 years old. * Patients who are diagnosed with UC or CD within 6 months before the enrolment. * Patients who have access to the internet and have the IT skills to perform basic tasks e.g. operate emails and fill out questionnaires. * Patients who are willing and able to participate in the study for the required duration, can understand and are willing to sign the consent forms and agree to undergo all protocol-related tests and procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who have severe extensive colitis and are at imminent risk of colectomy. * Patients who already have the presence of a stoma or history of a fistula or stricture due to another diagnosis. * Patients who are pregnant, lactating or thinking of becoming pregnant during the study period * Patients who have unstable acute illness or exacerbation of an unstable chronic illness or chronic disease (other than IBD) that may affect assessments for this study as determined by previous physical examination, medical history, vital signs, ECG, and laboratory (serum biochemistry, hematology, urinalysis) assessments. * Patients with a medical history of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that are not in remission and are on medication that can affect gastrointestinal function. * Patients who have known or suspected to have a severe cardiac disease (e.g., symptomatic coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation * Patients who have known or suspected cerebrovascular disease (e.g. prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, symptomatic carotid artery disease, prior carotid endarterectomy or other vascular neck surgery) * Patients who have a known history or suspected history of substance abuse or addiction (within the last five years).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Neurogastroenterology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
RECRUITINGLondon, E1 2AJ, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Ulcerative colitis drugs put under the microscope for hidden clot risk
- Can a cheap Anti-Inflammatory drug calm ulcerative colitis?
- Lab-Grown gut patches made from Patients' own cells tested against Crohn's ulcers
- Can early symptom relief predict who stays on IBD biologic?
- Can a liquid diet calm Crohn's in kids?
- Which IBD therapy works best for kids? researchers compare two approaches