What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies involving human volunteers to answer medical questions. They are the safest and fastest way to find new treatments and new ways to improve healthcare. There are several types of clinical trials:
Treatment trials test new treatments
Prevention trials test new approaches to lower risk or prevent a diseases or heath condition
Screening trials test the best way to detect certain diseases or health conditions.
Quality of life trials explore ways to improve comfort and quality of life of people with chronic illness.
An important aspect of clinical trials is patient participation. Without patients, trials can be held up for months, or even years, which delays the availability of potential treatment.
By enrolling in a clinical trial, you can help yourself and millions of patients around the world who may benefit from your participation.
What are potential benefits?
A well-designed clinical trial can offer patients benefits such as:
• Access to therapy and drugs not yet available to the public.
• Treatment provided by leading physicians.
• Careful monitoring of your condition and treatment.
• The ability to take a more active role in your own health care.
• An opportunity to help others by contributing to medical research.
How do I get involved?
Every trial has criteria that patients must meet before they can be enrolled. Considerations of eligibility for a study cam require specific information about your condition, previous treatments, and other additional criteria. You might have to participate in a phone interview or an office visit, at your or your insurance’s expense, to determine your eligibility.
Questions to ask before participating in a clinical trial:
• What is the main purpose of this study?
• What are my other options for treatment?
• Does this study involve a placebo or treatment that is already on the market?
• How long will I be asked to participate?
• What side effects might I expect?
• Is there any reimbursement for travel costs or childcare?
• Will I be able to see my own doctor?
• If the treatment works, is it still available after the study?
• Will I receive any follow up care after the study is complete?
• Am I, or my insurance company, financially responsible for any part of the study?
For more information about clinical trials at Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates, or to learn about trials already in progress, email kgulish@wilmingtongi.com or call Kristen Gulish at (910) 362-1011 ext 152.
Current Studies:
Currently Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates are offering trials in the following areas:
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Ulcerative Colitis |
Severe to Moderate UC
If you are over the age of 18 and have been unable to maintain your UC symptoms, you may be eligible for a nationwide clinical research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug.
Study medication will be provided. |
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Ulcerative colitis |
Severe to Moderate UC
Ask us about a new research study involving patients with moderate to sever UC:
To be eligible for the study, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Diagnosed with active UC, confirmed by endoscopy with biopsy in the last 3 months.
- Receiving or have tried corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive therapy |
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Constipation |
If you have been diagnosed with constipation, you may qualify for a quality of life registry:
- Patients must be at least 18 years old
- Experiencing a minimum of 3 months active constipation and/or onset of symptoms for at least 6 months. (need not be consecutive months)
- Patients must not have IBS, IBD, pregnancy, or paralysis. |
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Polyps |
Are you scheduled for a colonoscopy or have had a colonoscopy resulting in polyps in the last 3 months? Then you may qualify for our preventative trial.
- Patients must be at least 40 years of age
- With a willingness to desist all use of NSAIDs for the duration of the trial. |
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Possible upcoming trials |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Crohns disease
GERD
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