IBD Trials: When Placebos 'Dare' Despite the Flare!

In this episode of the pIBD DIGEST, Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell welcome a very special guest: the chair of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), Dr Shahida Din. The trio dive deep into the world of placebo trials in IBD, exploring not just the science, but also the very real harms and challenges these trials bring. It’s a rare treat (or should we say placebo effect?) to have an adult gastroenterologist join the podcast, offering insights that mirror the paediatric experience more closely than you might think. Dr Din dives into the nuts, bolts, and fine print of what happens when patients with active symptoms find themselves randomised to placebo. And just when you think the episode can’t get any deeper, Dr Din rounds it off with a poetic twist, ‘Placebo Dreams’—a moving tribute to the courage and generosity of patients who, despite their suffering, make invaluable contributions to advancing IBD care.