N-ASPIRE CT Strategy v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What proportion of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease have Axial Spondyloarthritis – An imaging referral strategy utilising Computed Tomography defined Sacroiliitis [Norfolk - Axial SPa Ibd REferral Computer Tomographic Strategy (N-ASPIRE CT Strategy)]
IRAS ID
252117
Contact name
Chong Seng Edwin Lim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study will investigate how common the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is in patients with known inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis who have previously had an abnormal Computed Tomography (CT) scan. The information gathered will also be used to estimate the usefulness of a screening tool in aiding the early identification of axSpA.
IBD causes inflammation of the gut leading to symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, back passage bleeding. AxSpA is a condition that causes inflammation in the spine resulting in back pain, stiffness, reduced range of spinal movement and fatigue. Recent research has shown that there are close links between the two conditions (i.e. axSpA-associated condition). AxSpA is still being diagnosed late because back pain is common and axSpA is a relatively uncommon cause of back pain. Identification strategies typically focus on patients in primary care, however there is an unknown population of undiagnosed patients with axSpA-associated conditions being seen in secondary care.
We feel that it is important to understand how common axSpA is in this group of IBD patients, as the undiagnosed cases may represent a “hidden burden” of axSpA. This knowledge will further build awareness of axSpA in IBD, and may suggest an alternative identification route for these patients, reducing the current 8 years delay to diagnosis and enabling access to effective treatments for their musculoskeletal symptoms.
Patients with a diagnosis of IBD who had a previous CT scan suggestive of axSpA are invited to participate in the study via a postal questionnaire. If patients are deemed eligible, participants will then be invited to attend an assessment in the Rheumatology Department consisting of a medical interview, physical examination, blood tests and a MRI scan of the back and pelvis. The research is funded by AbbVie through an Investigator-Initiated Study Programme.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EE/0125
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion