Trust among top recruiters for bowel disease study | News

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) has been commended for its contribution to a groundbreaking study aimed at improving treatment for patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine. Symptoms can sometimes become severe enough for patients to require hospital admission, and in some cases, may lead to surgery.

The ACESO study is investigating whether adding a medication called upadacitinib to intravenous steroids can improve outcomes for adult patients hospitalised with acute severe ulcerative colitis, reducing the need for further medication or surgery.

Currently, around half of patients treated with intravenous steroids need additional medication to treat their condition, while one third will still require surgery. The study aims to determine whether using upadacitinib alongside the intravenous steroids can improve these outcomes.

Sponsored by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and managed by the Hull Health Trials Unit, the trial is running at 28 NHS sites across the UK, including the Digestive Diseases Unit at MTW.

More than 245 patients across the country have taken part so far, with MTW among the study’s top recruiters.  

The study’s Chief Investigator, Professor Shaji Sebastian, IBD Service Lead Clinician at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, recently commended MTW’s Associate Principal Investigator, Dr Silas Muthuchand, and the wider Digestive Diseases Unit’s research team, for their contribution to the trial.

Professor Sebastian said: “MTW has made a significant contribution to the ACESO study, and the dedication of Dr Muthuchand and the team has helped ensure the trial continues to make strong progress. High-performing sites such as MTW are essential in generating evidence and advancing research that has the potential to improve patient care.”

Reflecting on the importance of the Trust’s involvement, Consultant Gastroenterologist and MTW’s Principal Investigator for the trial, Dr Paul Blaker, said: “By exploring new ways to treat acute severe ulcerative colitis, the ACESO study could help more patients recover without needing further medication or surgery, improving both outcomes and quality of life for people with the condition.”

Further information about the ACESO study is available on the Hull Health Trials Unit website.