The future: diverticular disease research
Help us shape the future of diverticular disease research in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
In 2023, Guts UK teamed up with medical research charity Bowel Research UK to launch a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) into diverticular disease and diverticular-related gut conditions. With your help, we want to identify the top ten research priorities for diverticular disease.
If you or a loved one has diverticular disease or a related diverticular gut condition, you can have your say and help us to shape the future of research.
1 in 3 people will be affected during their lifetime. And this number is increasing. Yet research priorities haven’t been decided…until now!
It’s time your voice was heard.
Guts UK has previously completed Priority Setting Partnerships (PSP) into pancreatitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). These projects helped decide the top 10 research priorities for the conditions and help inform the future research that Guts UK invests in.
You can learn more about what a PSP is and why we feel it is so crucial to fund a PSP into diverticulosis, diverticular disease and diverticulitis, diverticula and complicated diverticular here:
What is a PSP?
Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) bring together patients, carers, doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers, dietitians, and other health professionals, all with an equal voice. Together, they decide the top ten research priorities for their condition.
The James Lind Alliance (JLA) helps facilitate PSPs for a wide range of diseases. The purpose of a PSP is to identify and prioritise the unanswered questions for certain medical conditions, or areas of health.
Why is Guts UK funding a PSP for diverticular disease?
Our guts have been underfunded and undervalued for decades and a PSP has never before been completed into diverticular disease or diverticulitis. It’s time to change that. Guts UK is proud to have initiated this huge step forward for this misunderstood condition.
What is diverticular disease?
‘Diverticulosis’ is when pouches are formed along the bowel wall. Most of the time, these pouches are completely harmless. Sometimes, they can cause symptoms for people, which is referred to as ‘diverticular disease’. When these pouches become infected or inflamed, they are referred to as‘diverticulitis’.
How many people have diverticular disease?
The condition affects between 1 in 2 and 1 in 3 people in the UK in their lifetime.
How can this PSP change future diverticular disease research in the UK?
Diverticular disease is a misunderstood and underfunded condition.
We hope this PSP will ignite a change in attitudes, and lead to increased research funding for diverticular disease in the UK.
Every single person who wants to have their say in the future of diverticular disease research in the UK will get their chance to do so.
Helen West, Guts UK’s Patient/Public Involvement & Engagement Officer, will be sending updates about the PSP, including timings and when you can expect to be involved, by email. For updates and your opportunity to have your say, please sign up below.
