Participate in Research
Research studies help find new methods for diagnosing, treating, managing, and preventing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Even the most promising scientific findings must first be proven to be safe and effective before they can be used in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
If you are interested in learning more about participating in a research study or clinical trial, speak with your doctor.
For Researchers recruiting patients for study participation
Are you a researcher looking to promote your research study among patients with Crohn's or colitis? Crohn’s and Colitis Canada currently promotes studies conducted by scientists affiliated with academic institutions who have demonstrated proof of ethics approval. Promotion will be via our website. At this time, we cannot promote research study recruitment via email or social media.
To submit a request to have your study promoted by Crohn's and Colitis Canada, complete the online form HERE. Our research programs team will review your request and connect with you about next steps.
Active studies recruiting participants:
- The IMAGINE Network MAGIC Study
What is this Study About?
The IMAGINE Network is currently recruiting healthy individuals along with persons with inMammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our goal is to recruit 8,000 subjects and will study how three important variables (genes, diet and mental health) impact the gut microbiome and, in turn, how together they impact the disease course.
Who can Participate?
Adults or children with IBD or IBS, or healthy subjects
This study has been approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (REB #3000).
Primary Contact
Aida Fernandes
fernaa19@mcmaster.ca
Principal Investigator
Paul Moayyedi
McMaster University
- Perceptions of Reproductive Care during Preconception and Pregnancy Among Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; A Comparison between Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Populations
What is this Study About?
We are looking to collect insight from individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) who are considering pregnancy, are pregnant or are post partum. The information collected through this study will be used to help healthcare professionals to advocate to health policy makers to increase resources to provide equitable and culturally appropriate care to all women with IBD.
Who can Participate?
All IBD patients who are considering pregnancy, are pregnant or are post partum.
Your Role in this Study
Participation will involve completing one anonymous questionnaire which will contain questions regarding demographics, IBD history and IBD activity and your healthcare experiences.
This study has been approved by the Sinai Health Research Ethics Board (REB #0110).
Primary Contact
Katie O'Connor
preg.ibd@sinaihealth.ca
Principal Investigator
Vivian Huang
Sinai Health System
- Pragmatic, Active-comparator, Parallel-group, Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Optimal First-line Treatment Strategy for Moderate-to-Severely Active Ileal-dominant Crohn’s Disease
What is this Study About?
PATHFINDER is a Canadian multicenter trial that directly evaluates whether anti-integrin therapy is noninferior to anti-TNFα or anti-IL23 targeted agents for the treatment of moderate-to-severely active ileal-dominant, biologic-naïve Crohn's Disease. Results from this trial will inform evidence-based clinical decision making relevant to patients, providers, and payors.
Who can Participate?
You are being asked to take part in this study because:
- you have Crohn’s disease affecting your small bowel
- your most recent colonoscopy shows large ulcers in the small bowel
- your treating doctor thinks a type of medicine called a “biologic” would be a good treatment for you.
Your Role in this Study
If you decide to take part, your participation may last up to 13 months. This will include a screening visit, randomization, and follow-up visits at 4, 8, and 12 months after starting treatment.
At study visits, the following assessments will be performed:
- A questionnaire about your health and well-being
- A physical examination
- A review of your medical history, including any symptoms, changes in your health, or changes in your medications
- A blood test to measure C-reactive protein
- A stool test to measure inflammation (fecal calprotectin)
- Your doctor may also perform an additional blood test to measure the level of certain medications in your blood to determine whether your dose or treatment schedule should be adjusted.
The 12-month visit will be your final study visit. In addition to the assessments listed above, you will undergo a video-recorded colonoscopy to determine whether your bowel has healed.
This study has been approved by the University of Calgary's Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB #REB22-1641_REN2).
Primary Contact
Nima Hamidi
nima.hamidi@ucalgary.ca
Principal Investigator
Dr. Christopher Ma
University of Calgary
- IBD and Acceptance
What is this Study About?
Are you an individual diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
We are seeking participants 18 years and older to take part in a research study exploring experiences of living with IBD.
Who can Participate?
Anyone 18 years or older with IBD.
Your Role in this Study
Participation involves a virtual interview lasting approximately 60–90 minutes. The interview will include questions about your life before your IBD diagnosis and your experiences living with IBD today. Topics will focus on acceptance, relationships, and how you cope with the challenges of IBD.
You will also be asked to complete a brief 19-item questionnaire that takes approximately 5 minutes. This questionnaire includes basic demographic information such as age, relationship status, and IBD type and treatments.
This study has been approved by the University of Research Ethics Board (REB #45502).
Primary Contact
Jasmine Kobrosli
uwinibdstudy@gmail.com
Principal Investigator
Jasmine Kobrosli
University of Windsor
- Development of a Toolkit to Facilitate Shared-Decision Making in Older Persons with IBD
What is this Study About?
We want to bring together experts (patients, providers, IBD advocacy group, researchers) to co-develop an IBD toolkit for older persons with IBD. We also want to hear about what toolkit items older persons want included and to help us co-develop the toolkit.
Who can Participate?
- You must be at least 65 years old.
- Have been diagnosed with IBD (Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis) at any age.
- Live in Canada. Speak and understand English.
- Have access to a computer, tablet, or telephone.
- We welcome people from both sexes and all genders to participate to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
Your Role in this Study
- 7 hours total (1-hour pre-activity document review and online brainstorming activity; 5-hour online meeting; 1-hour post-activity review)
- Technology support provided and a support person can join you
- Honorarium provided
- Participation is voluntary. Whether you choose to participate or not will have noinfluence on your access to IBD care,relationships with the researchers, or continuation of services provided to you.
This study has been approved by the University of Saskatchewan Research Ethics Board (REB #5595).
Primary Contact
Noelle Rohatinsky
noelle.rohatinsky@usask.ca
Principal Investigator
Noelle Rohatinsky
University of Saskatchewan
- Help define the IBD-related burden from a global patient perspective
What is this Study About?
The IBD Disk is a widely used questionnaire that assesses IBD-related burden across 10 categories. However, there are some concerns and limitations about the current version, limiting its usability in clinical practice and research. Therefore, the goal of the IBD Disk 2.0 project is to identify the most important impacts contributing to a high burden of IBD from the perspective of a broad group stakeholders (including people living with IBD, IBD nurses, gastroenterologists specialized in IBD, academic IBD researchers and mental health workers / psychologists in the field of IBD). This is a global initiative aiming to gather the perspective of stakeholders across Europe, America and Australia. To obtain an accurate and comprehensive view of the burden on IBD patients, your input is crucial.
Who can Participate?
Patients with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis or type unclassified with a minimum age of 18 years can participate in this study.
Your Role in this Study
Participation in this survey study involves completing two rounds by filling out two questionnaires. Completing the survey will take approximately 20 minutes and should be done in one sitting. The first round will close on October 22nd. Participation in this study is anonymous.
You can access the survey for the first round of the IBD Disk 2.0 survey study via this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IBD_Disk_2_Round_1
This study has been approved by the UZ/KU Leuven Research Ethics Committee (REB #S70788).
Primary Contact
Manon Vanhaverbeke
manon.vanhaverbeke@kuleuven.be
Principal Investigator
Marc Ferrante
UZ/KU Leuven
- INSPIRE-Flare
What is this Study About?
Get involved in rheumatology research being conducted at the University of Cambridge!
Researchers at the University of Cambridge are conducting groundbreaking research to better understand patient experiences of flares in autoimmune diseases.
Led by Melanie Sloan, Cambridge academic and patient advocate, and supported by a team of leading experts, this study aims to improve understanding of disease flares to improve early recognition and care.
Who can Participate?
Participants must be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and be over 18 years old.
Your Role in this Study
To take part, you need to complete a survey which asks about how you define flares in your disease, what triggers and prevents flares and the order of symptoms in flares. It should take about 45 minutes to complete, and you can pause or stop at any time.
Everyone who takes part can choose to be entered into a prize draw to win one of four £50 amazon vouchers when the survey closes, which will likely be in early June.
Please click on this link
https://bit.ly/4kOQeyg to take part.
This study was approved by the University of Cambridge Research Ethics Committee (REB # PRE.2025.009).
Primary Contact
Martha Piper
mp2196@cam.ac.uk
Principal Investigator
Melanie Sloan
University of Cambridge