Farhad Peerally
drfarhadp.bsky.social
Farhad Peerally
@drfarhadp.bsky.social
UK-based Clinical-Academic Gastroenterologist with interests in quality and safety in healthcare, inflammatory bowel disease and Barrett’s oesophagus.
Want to see the full roadmap? Check out our paper here:

fg.bmj.com/content/earl...

Many thanks to the MPS Foundation for funding for SCALE ENDO and to all coauthors for their brilliance. 10/10
https://fg.bmj.com/content/early/…
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
We propose a multi-faceted approach:
🔹Journal engagement
🔹Training programs
🔹Research collaborations
🔹Dedicated funding
🔹Methodological support 9/10
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Particularly exciting is the role of qualitative research alongside RCTs. From improving recruitment to identifying meaningful outcomes, these methods can enhance trial design & interpretation. We did it for the BRIDE study: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/1... 8/10
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/1/e…
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
For example, our SCALE-ENDO project shorturl.at/Xv1eN uses qualitative analysis of UKwide incident reports and video-based methods of simulated incidents to understand how endoscopy teams adapt and interact to maintain safety, informing targeted simulation training. 7/10
SCALE-ENDO | SAPPHIRE | University of Leicester
SCALE-ENDO is the study of communication and adaptive capacity using in-situ learning environments based on real life risks in endoscopy.
shorturl.at
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Or even studying safety in endoscopy: While quantitative methods tell us 'what' went wrong, qualitative approaches reveal the 'how' and 'why' - uncovering complex system interactions, team dynamics & organisational factors shaping safety. (6/10)
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Take IBD care for example: Beyond measuring clinical outcomes, we need to understand how expanding therapeutic options intersect with patient agency, health inequities & structural constraints in care delivery. (5/10)
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
We highlight 6 key areas where qualitative approaches improves insights in GI medicine:
- Patient experiences & QoL
- Clinical decision-making
- Healthcare disparities
- Implementation of new tech
- Patient safety
- Enhancing RCTs (4/10)
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Why the mismatch? Key barriers include:
- Limited familiarity with qualitative methods among editors/reviewers in clinical journals
- Misconceptions about generalisability
- Capability gaps in research teams
(3/10)
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The stark reality: qualitative articles make up just 0.0008% of primary research in top-20 gastroenterology journals over 20 years. This contrasts sharply with 8% of GI studies on UK Clinical Research Network portfolio using qualitative methods. (2/10)
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Grateful to our international team who have pulled a gigantic effort for this piece of work to see light and to @robbrierley.bsky.social @thelancet.bsky.social Gastro Hep for publishing. Muhammad Usman, @salmanwaqar.bsky.social Nazim Ghouri Qasim Khan
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Thank you for reading! We hope this guidance helps healthcare professionals better support their patients during Ramadan. For complete details and recommendations, please read the full paper in www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... (14/15)
www.thelancet.com
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
📚 Full paper provides detailed guidance on:
- Risk stratification
- Medication adjustments
- Monitoring protocols
- Alternative arrangements
- Evidence synthesis (13/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
⚠️ Remember:
- Individual assessment is crucial
- Shared decision making essential
- Regular monitoring important
- Safety first approach
- Respect religious beliefs while ensuring medical safety (12/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
💡 Alternative Options:
- Winter fasting (shorter days)
- Non-consecutive fasting
- Trial fasting before Ramadan
- Religious exemptions when needed (11/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🏥 Pre-Ramadan Assessment Should Include:
- Disease activity
- Nutritional status
- Frailty assessment
- Medication review
- Risk stratification
- Individual counseling (10/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
💊 Medication Management:
- Many medications can be adjusted to once/twice daily dosing
- Consider extended-release formulations
- Plan medication changes 1-3 months before Ramadan
- Regular monitoring essential (9/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🔵 GERD & Peptic Ulcers:
- Stable GERD: Can usually fast with medication adjustment
- Active ulcers: Should NOT fast
- Healed ulcers: Could fast with PPI coverage
- Timing of meals important (8/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🔴 #IBD:
- Active disease/flare: Must NOT fast
- Quiescent/mild disease: Could fast
- Regular medication still crucial
- Monitor symptoms carefully
- Calprotectin useful for monitoring (7/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🔵 Liver Transplant Recipients:
- Stable patients >1 year post-transplant with good graft function: Could fast
- Recent transplant (<12 months): Should NOT fast
- Need careful medication timing adjustments
- Regular monitoring essential (6/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🔴 Liver Cirrhosis:
- Child-Pugh B/C: Must NOT fast
- Child-Pugh A: Could fast if no malnutrition/frailty, but needs careful assessment
- Night-time fasting can be particularly problematic
- Protein supplementation crucial if fasting (5/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🔵 Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD):
- Patients without advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis are generally safe to fast
- Some studies show potential benefits including improved liver enzymes and metabolic parameters
- Individual assessment still needed, especially with comorbidities (4/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🔑 Key message: Many patients with stable GI/liver conditions can safely fast during Ramadan, but individual assessment is crucial. We developed a risk stratification system to help guide clinical decision-making. (3/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
We reviewed the evidence on fasting during Ramadan for patients with GI & liver conditions and developed practical guidance for healthcare professionals. Here are the key points ⬇️ (2/15)
January 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM