Debut of Ulcerative Colitis: selective Top-down strategy - the DUCT trial

Ulcerative colitis is a condition where the lining of your large intestine (colon and rectum) becomes inflamed and develops tiny ulcers. This can cause symptoms like tummy pain, diarrhoea, and blood in your poo. Living with ulcerative colitis can be challenging, and finding the right treatment is very important for managing symptoms and improving your quality of life.

This particular study, known as the DUCT trial, is designed for people who have recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The main idea behind the study is to explore if a specific treatment approach, sometimes called a 'top-down' strategy, could be more effective. This means giving a powerful medication, Amgevita, earlier in the disease course, rather than waiting for other treatments to fail.

The researchers want to see if this early treatment helps people go into 'deep remission.' This isn't just about feeling better; it means that your symptoms are largely gone, your bowels look healthy on examination, and your body's inflammation levels are low. They'll be checking these things one year after your diagnosis. The study also wants to see if this early treatment can help people avoid needing more intensive treatments, like other strong medications or even surgery, in the first year. They will also look at how this treatment affects your quality of life and healthcare costs over three years.