| Interventions |
The OPTIMISE Study will test a checklist and algorithm designed to find any medical issues which may be causing IBD-related symptoms of fatigue, pain or urgency and to ensure these are being treated as well as they can be (ptimised by a patient’s NHS IBD care team. Patients participating in this study will be sent a checklist to complete about their IBD-related symptoms and any tests that they have had recently. They will also be asked to compete faecal calprotectin sample sent to them with stamped addressed packaging to send to lab. Once received, a nurse or doctor from the patient’s IBD hospital will then review the completed checklist and the results of the faecal calprotectin test and use a care pathway developed by experts to decide if a phone call and possibly further tests are necessary. If the nurse or doctor feels that more information is needed, a phone call or appointment will be arranged. During this consultation, the nurse will run through a series of questions relating to the patient’s fatigue, pain and/or urgency plus any other important symptoms they may be experiencing. After the consultation, it may be suggested that the completes further tests such as a blood test. If offered any management or advice, patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their symptoms after 3 months to see if there has been any improvement. |