Fistula Observational cohoRT study In Cryptoglandular disease (FORTIC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
NIHR i4i Fistula Observational cohoRT study In Cryptoglandular disease (FORTIC: A prospective observational cohort study investigating the treatment pathways in primary and secondary care for patients with cryptoglandular fistula in ano
IRAS ID
256565
Contact name
Thomas Pinkney
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Fistula-in-ano (FIA) is an abnormal tunnel between the inside of the lower bowel and the skin next to the anus. It is a distressing and debilitating condition that results in pain and chronic infection around the back passage. Around 12,000 people are newly diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK.
Surgery is required for almost all cases, aiming to drain infection, heal the fistula tract and protect normal anal muscle function. This means that patients often require multiple operations, clinic appointments and dressing changes, which has a huge effect on both work and home life.
Very little is known about the impact of FIA on patients from the development of their first symptoms, the number of visits to healthcare services, the fatigue and distress of operations, the days required for sick leave and earnings lost. Therefore we are developing a study to follow patients from their first presentation to gather accurate data that will allow us to understand the true burden of the condition to both, patients and the NHS thus informing us a way to deliver a more efficient and streamed lined service.REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0181
Date of REC Opinion
6 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion