Effect of Tofacitinib on coagulation and platelet function, and its role in thromboembolic events

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and swelling in the large bowel. When the gut is inflamed, the body's immune system is overactive. This inflammation can sometimes make the blood stickier, increasing the risk of unwanted blood clots. Platelets are the small cells in our bloodstream responsible for clotting, and they can become unusually active during a colitis flare-up.

Doctors frequently treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis with medicines like tofacitinib or anti-TNF therapies (such as infliximab, adalimumab, or golimumab). While these treatments are known to calm inflammation and heal the bowel, scientists want to learn more about how they affect clotting cells. This study explores whether these medicines alter platelet behaviour and whether this helps lower the risk of clots.

During the study, researchers will collect blood samples from patients who have active colitis, patients whose colitis is quiet, and healthy volunteers. For patients starting a new treatment, blood will be tested before and after taking the medicine. Doctors will also perform a camera check (endoscopy) after three months to see if the gut lining has healed.

By comparing these results, doctors hope to gain valuable insights into how these therapies protect both the gut and the bloodstream. The information gathered may help healthcare teams choose the safest, most effective medicines for people with bowel diseases in the future.