Patient and public involvement (PPI) patients with inflammatory conditions, rheumatic and/or gastrointestinal diseases were involved in developing the research proposal. In this way, they helped co-design the project. They advised to review the evidence and to use readily available UK-wide data for the prediction modelling exercise. They also advised to explore the acceptability of risk-stratified monitoring with patients and health professionals. The research question was prioritised by PPI group run by the Nottingham NIHR BRC Gastroenterology theme. This comprised of over 10 members and included PPI members with non-White ethnicities.
Two PPI members with an inflammatory condition treated with immune-suppressing medications provided input into the patient questionnaire and interview guide and gave feedback on the format of the interviews. They reflected people from both genders and across different age groups. They also underwent a mock one-to-one interview to fine-tune the questions. This interview was not audio-recorded. Another PPI member with lived experience of inflammatory conditions and treatment with immune-suppressing drugs participated in the Study Steering Committee as a lay member providing oversight to the study throughout the study period.