As the calendar turns to a new year, it’s an opportunity for fresh starts, resolutions, and new ways to improve your health and well-being.

For individuals living with Crohn’s disease, the beginning of the year may also bring renewed focus on managing symptoms and seeking better treatment options.

While many people with Crohn’s disease rely on conventional therapies, there’s another path that could offer hope for improved outcomes: participating in a clinical trial.

Clinical trials play a critical role in advancing medical science and offering patients access to cutting-edge treatments before they are widely available.

If you’re living with Crohn’s disease and are considering ways to make 2025 (or beyond) a healthier and more empowering year, applying for a clinical trial could be one of the best steps you take.

In this article, we’ll discuss why starting the year with a clinical trial for Crohn’s disease is a smart decision, the benefits of participating, and what to expect from the process.

Understanding Crohn’s Disease and the Need for Clinical Trials

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

As part of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.

Although current treatments — including medications like corticosteroids, biologics, and immunosuppressants — can help manage symptoms and inflammation, not every treatment works for every patient.

Some people experience significant side effects, and others may not respond to available therapies at all.

This is where clinical trials come in. Clinical trials are research studies designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of new medications, procedures, or therapeutic approaches.

They are the cornerstone of medical innovation, driving the development of new treatments that can improve the quality of life for individuals with Crohn’s disease.

By participating in a clinical trial, you’re not only giving yourself access to potential new treatments but also contributing to advancements that could benefit the entire Crohn’s disease community.

Why January Is the Perfect Time to Apply for a Clinical Trial

The start of the year is often associated with setting goals and establishing priorities.

For individuals with Crohn’s disease, January provides a natural opportunity to reassess your health care plan and take proactive steps toward better disease management.

Here’s why beginning your year with a clinical trial application makes sense:

1. A Fresh Start for Your Health

After a year of navigating symptoms, medications, and potential setbacks, the new year offers a chance to reevaluate your treatment plan. If your current therapies aren’t providing adequate relief or you’re experiencing side effects, a clinical trial could provide access to a new treatment option that may work better for you.

2. Advancing Research and Finding Hope

Clinical trials are at the forefront of medical discovery, testing innovative treatments such as biologics, biosimilars, and small molecules. Participating in a trial at the beginning of the year aligns your goals with the broader mission of improving treatment options for Crohn’s disease.

3. Access to Cutting-Edge Treatments

Many clinical trials offer participants early access to promising treatments that are not yet available to the general public. Starting the year with this opportunity means you could be among the first to benefit from new therapies that might improve your symptoms and overall quality of life.

4. Set a Positive Tone for the Year

Taking an active role in your health care — such as applying for a clinical trial — is empowering. It demonstrates your commitment to prioritizing your well-being and sets a positive tone for the rest of the year.

The Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial for Crohn’s Disease

Choosing to participate in a clinical trial is a big decision, but it comes with numerous potential benefits.

While there are risks involved (as with any medical treatment), the advantages often outweigh the uncertainties for many patients.

1. Access to New Treatments

One of the most compelling reasons to join a clinical trial is access to cutting-edge treatments that are not yet available on the market. These treatments may target the underlying mechanisms of Crohn’s disease more effectively than existing options.

2. Close Monitoring by Experts

Participants in clinical trials often receive care from a team of highly experienced specialists, including gastroenterologists, researchers, and nurses. Your health will be closely monitored throughout the trial, ensuring that any side effects or complications are addressed promptly.

3. Contributing to Medical Progress

By joining a clinical trial, you become part of the solution. Your participation helps researchers gather critical data that can lead to better treatments for Crohn’s disease in the future. It’s a way to give back to the IBD community and help others who share your condition.

4. Potential Cost Savings

In many cases, the investigational treatment and related medical care are provided at no cost to participants.
This can alleviate some of the financial burden associated with managing Crohn’s disease.

What to Expect When Applying for a Clinical Trial

If you’re considering participating in a clinical trial for Crohn’s disease, it’s important to understand the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare:

1. Finding a Clinical Trial

Start by researching clinical trials that are actively recruiting participants. Websites like SANCTR (South African National Clinical Trials Registry)  or organizations such as the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation often list ongoing studies.

Speak with your gastroenterologist, as they may know of local trials that align with your condition and treatment history.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Every clinical trial has specific eligibility criteria, such as age, disease severity, prior treatments, and other health conditions. These criteria ensure that the trial is safe and that its results are scientifically valid. Your medical history will be reviewed to determine if you qualify.

3. Informed Consent

Before enrolling in a clinical trial, you’ll be given detailed information about the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits. This process, known as informed consent, ensures that you fully understand what participation entails.

4. The Trial Process

Once enrolled, you’ll undergo various assessments, including physical exams, lab tests, and imaging studies, to establish a baseline. Depending on the study, you may receive the investigational treatment, a placebo, or standard therapy. Throughout the trial, your progress will be closely monitored through regular check-ups and tests.

5. Post-Trial Follow-Up

After the trial ends, researchers will analyze the results to determine the treatment’s safety and effectiveness. You may also be asked to participate in follow-up evaluations to track long-term outcomes.

Addressing Concerns About Clinical Trials

It’s natural to have concerns or questions about participating in a clinical trial. Common worries include the safety of the treatment, the possibility of receiving a placebo, and how participation might affect your daily life.

Here’s how these concerns are addressed:

• Safety: All clinical trials must adhere to strict ethical and scientific guidelines. They are closely monitored by regulatory agencies to ensure participant safety.
• Placebos: Not all trials use placebos. When they are used, participants are informed about the possibility. Even if you receive a placebo, your health will still be closely monitored by medical professionals.
• Daily Life: While participating in a trial may require additional visits to the clinic or hospital, many participants find that the benefits outweigh the inconvenience.

How to Decide if a Clinical Trial is Right for You

Deciding to participate in a clinical trial is a personal choice that depends on your individual health, treatment goals, and comfort level with the risks involved.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Have you exhausted conventional treatment options?
• Are you comfortable with the possibility of trying an experimental treatment?
• Do you want to contribute to medical research and help others with Crohn’s disease?

Discuss these questions with your gastroenterologist and family members to make an informed decision.

Conclusion: A New Year, A New Opportunity

For individuals living with Crohn’s disease, the start of a new year is the perfect time to explore innovative ways to manage your condition.

Applying for a clinical trial is not only a proactive step toward improving your own health but also a way to contribute to the broader goal of advancing medical knowledge and treatment options for Crohn’s disease.

As you set your health goals for the year ahead, consider the benefits of participating in a clinical trial. With the support of your medical team and access to cutting-edge therapies, you can make 2025 a year of hope, progress, and positive change.

Take the first step today — your future self will thank you!

Contact Dr. Gosia George

Dr Gosia George and Dr Eduan  Deetlefs are clinical investigators at Spoke Research Inc and became involved in Clinical Research in 2017, and now runs the Inflammatory Bowel Disease trials.

If you’d like to take part in a clinical trial, join us here:

Apply for Crohn’s Disease Trial

Apply for Ulcerative Colitis Trial

We are here to provide you with expert medical advice in the field of clinical research with years of experience.

Contact us to find out more on clinical trials and treatment.