Lucy Stiles
Project: "Short-Term Outcomes of 5ASA Vs Steroids in the Treatment of Children with Newly Diagnosed Ulcerative Colitis."
Medical Student Essay Prize Winner 2025
Ms Stiles explains:
“Using real-world data from the international PIBD-SETQuality cohort, this prospective multi-centre study analysed 228 children treated with either 5-ASA or steroids for induction therapy. The primary outcome was clinical remission at three months, supported by biochemical markers of disease activity.
The main finding was that there was no significant difference in remission rates between the 5-ASA and steroid groups in those with endoscopically mild disease. Despite this, 43% of this subgroup were prescribed steroids,
highlighting a disconnect between guidelines and real-world practice. This is especially important given the potential harms of steroid use in children, such as impaired growth.
The study also identified considerable international variation in prescribing practices. UK centres were significantly more likely to prescribe steroids than centres in the Netherlands, even though disease extent and severity were largely similar. This suggests that treatment decisions may be influenced by regional prescribing cultures rather than evidence-based protocols.
Overall, the project highlighted the need for further research in this population to develop robust, evidence-based guidelines for paediatric ulcerative colitis, ensuring more consistent and equitable treatment.”
What did it feel like to win this award?
Winning this award is a huge honour. It has reinforced my enthusiasm for integrating clinical practice with research and given me greater confidence in my academic potential. I look forward to shaping a career that allows me to stay actively involved in research; I plan to apply for the Specialised Foundation Programme later this year, with the longer-term goal of pursuing an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship, and potentially a PhD, in the future. I hope this award will help open doors to new opportunities as I take the next steps in my career.
Read more about Ms Stiles’ project, focused on the gut, by downloading the PDF below.
