For Patients
A simple blood test called PredictSURE® IBD could help you and your doctor determine the best treatment path for you
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the term commonly used to refer to two conditions – ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Both these diseases cause inflammation of the gut; ulcerative colitis only affects the colon, whilst Crohn’s disease can affect all, or part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s disease can also affect other parts of the body such as your joints, eyes and skin. Diagnosis of IBD typically occurs in people between the ages of 15 and 40.
Symptoms typically include pain, cramps or swelling in the tummy, recurring or bloody diarrhoea, weight loss and extreme tiredness. If you think you might be suffering IBD, but have not been diagnosed you should speak to your doctor.
Understanding IBD
Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic diseases, which means that they are lifelong conditions.
Over time, you may have periods of good health (remission) as well as times when your disease is more active (relapses or flares). Everybody is different.
The key objective for you and your doctor is to agree a treatment plan which reduces the chances of flaring and damage to your gut, giving you as normal a life as possible.
PredictSURE® IBD Patient Journey
PredictSURE® IBD is a blood test for patients with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis that can reduce uncertainty in your treatment decisions.
The test sorts people into high and low-risk groups, depending on the risk of experiencing early and frequent relapses.
The test requires just 2.5ml of blood, which is sent away for testing at a laboratory; your doctor will get the results back in time to inform your treatment path.
High and Low risk
What does it mean?
High-risk patients are more likely to experience early and frequent disease flares within the first 12 months after diagnosis. Low-risk patients are less likely to experience multiple flares within the first 12 months.
- As a low-risk patient, you can feel more confident that starting with less aggressive therapies is appropriate.
- If you are high-risk you may be monitored more closely and prescribed stronger treatment earlier, potentially increasing the chance of achieving remission, and reducing the risk of future symptoms and surgery.
“Safer for patients and cost saving to NHS”
Patient reviewer, NIHR DEC
Useful Information
Download information about PredictSURE® IBD
Our patient leaflet helps explain PredictSURE IBD to you.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis explained
Courtesy of Dr Mike Evans whiteboard Series; Reframe Health Lab
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Support Groups & Websites
help and support
Frequently asked questions
What is the PredictSURE® IBD test
PredictSURE IBD is a blood test for adult (older than 16 years) patients with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis that provides information about the likely outcome of your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The test measures 15 genes that have been shown to reliably predict whether IBD patients are at high-risk or low-risk of frequently relapsing disease in the future. This information will help your doctor determine the best treatment plan to manage your IBD. The test can be carried out at diagnosis and does not need to be repeated. Just 2.5ml (half a teaspoon) of blood is required.
What does my result mean?
PredictSURE IBD sorts people into high and low risk subgroups, which relate to disease outcome.
- “High-risk” patients are more likely to experience multiple flares within the first 12 months after diagnosis.
- “Low-risk” patients are less likely to experience multiple flares within the first 12 months.
If you are high-risk, you may be monitored more closely and prescribed stronger treatment earlier, potentially increasing the chance of achieving remission, and reducing the risk of future surgeries.
If you are low-risk, you can feel more confident that standard care and less frequent monitoring is appropriate.
What will my clinician do with the results?
Your clinician will use the results provided by the test, in conjunction with other information, such as your colonoscopy results, to decide on the best way to approach your treatment plan.
This could result in starting you on a stronger treatment earlier than would have been considered before the test was available.
If a stronger treatment approach is suggested, it’s because your PredictSURE IBD and other test results have indicated that this is the best course of action to manage your IBD.
Why has my doctor asked for the test to be carried out?
The course of inflammatory bowel disease has previously been unpredictable which can complicate the selection of the best treatment option. PredictSURE IBD predicts the disease course you may experience, and along with other test results, helps your doctor select the best treatment plan for you. The goal is to provide the best treatment for you to reduce the disease impact on your life.
Does PredictSURE® IBD tell my doctor which drug to prescribe?
PredictSURE IBD only provides information regarding the likely future course of your disease, it does not provide recommendations for specific treatment. However, your doctor will take the result of your test into account when deciding on the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
How does PredictSURE® IBD work?
PredictSURE IBD is based on over 10 years of research. The results are generated by measuring which genes are switched on/off in your blood and looking for particular characteristics. These characteristics are different for high and low risk people.
Will I have to do the test on a regular basis?
No, this test is only required once. You will not need to have the test again.
How do I get tested?
To access PredictSURE IBD, you’ll need to talk to your doctor first. Clinicians can order our tests through our partner labs – Order a Test
Paul Lyons – VP Platform Delivery
Eoin McKinney – CSO
Andy Sandham, Chairman
