RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Pregnancy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This study is investigating the connection between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy. Many women are diagnosed with IBD during their childbearing years, and the condition can sometimes affect pregnancy outcomes, such as a baby's growth or being born early. Conversely, pregnancy can also influence how active IBD is. Researchers are looking at existing information from 945 women who have experienced pregnancy, examining their IBD history, details about their pregnancies, and whether they breastfed. The main goal is to understand how often women experience flare-ups of their IBD during pregnancy.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens

Enrolment target

945

Start

18 Sep 2020

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

IBD Crohn's Disease Ulcerative Colitis Pregnancy

What is this study about?

This study is all about understanding the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and pregnancy. IBD is a long-term condition that includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It's quite common for women to be diagnosed with IBD when they are of an age where they might be planning to have children or are already pregnant.

Researchers know that IBD can sometimes affect a pregnancy, for example, making it more likely for babies to be born a little smaller or earlier than expected. On the other hand, pregnancy itself can also change how active someone's IBD is. The study also wants to see how IBD might behave after a woman has given birth. By looking back at existing health records, the study hopes to get a clearer picture of these connections.

The main aim of this research is to count how many times women with IBD have a flare-up of their symptoms during their pregnancy. They will use information from a large group of 945 women who are part of a special health registry, comparing their IBD details with information about their pregnancies, the time after birth, and whether they breastfed. This will help doctors better advise women with IBD who are planning a family.

Key takeaways

This study is about understanding IBD and pregnancy.
It uses existing anonymised health records, so you don't do anything extra.
The research aims to see how IBD affects pregnancy and vice versa.
A key focus is on IBD flare-ups during pregnancy.
It could help doctors better support women with IBD planning families.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be a woman between the ages of 18 and 50. You must have been diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) sometime between 1988 and 2018.

Another important requirement is that your health information must already be included in a special health record system called the EPIMAD registry. You also need to live in the Somme region and have had at least one pregnancy in the past.

You would not be able to take part in this study if you have never been pregnant or if your health records are not part of the EPIMAD registry.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am a woman between 18 and 50 years old.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis between 1988 and 2018.
My health records are already in the EPIMAD registry.
I live in the Somme region.
I have been pregnant at least once before.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

As this study is looking back at existing health records, you wouldn't need to do anything extra or change your routine. You wouldn't have any appointments, assessments, or need to take any new medication. Your personal information, already collected as part of the EPIMAD register, would be used for the research. There's no ongoing follow-up for you as an individual, and no specific duration for your participation beyond the use of your existing anonymous data.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study only uses existing anonymised health information, there are no direct physical risks or benefits to you. Your involvement means your past data contributes to a better understanding of how IBD affects pregnancy and vice versa. This research could help improve care for other women with IBD who are planning pregnancies in the future. As the data is already collected and anonymised, there isn't a process for you to withdraw your specific data once it has been included in the study analysis.

Locations (1)

CHU Amiens
Verified postcode
Amiens, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

IBD is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the gut. It includes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Why are researchers interested in IBD and pregnancy?

They want to understand how IBD symptoms might change during and after pregnancy, and how IBD might affect pregnancy outcomes like baby's growth.

Am I taking any new medicines for this study?

No, this study only looks at existing health records. You won't take any new medicines or have any treatments for this research.

Will my personal details be shared?

No, the study uses information that is anonymised, meaning your name and direct personal details are removed to protect your privacy.

What is the main goal of the study?

The main goal is to find out how often women with IBD have flare-ups of their symptoms while they are pregnant.

How to find out more

Arthur FOULON, Pr

foulon.arthur@chu-amiens.fr 33+3 22 08 73 82 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.