| Interventions |
The Atmo Gas Capsule is a novel swallowed capsule device sponsored by Atmo Biosciences. It is designed to measure the levels of certain gases eg. oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, as the capsule passes through the bowels. The pattern of gas concentrations will reflect the microbiome composition of the bowels. This is an explorative study in 5 patients with active inflammatory bowel disease. Participants will be patients of at least 18 years old who are to be newly commenced on treatment of their active inflammatory bowel disease. Due to Crohn's disease being associated with an increased risk of intestinal strictures and possible capsule retention within the body, patients with Crohn's disease will need to have had a magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) scan within the past 3-6 months demonstrating no strictures, or first demonstrate the ability to pass a wax capsule containing a radiofrequency identifier. The wax capsule will dissolve and not cause harm even if it fails to pass through the bowels. An externally held radiofrequency detector can be used to see whether the wax capsule remains in the body. If the wax capsule is not passed within 5 days, these patients will not proceed with the remainder of the study. Participants with ulcerative colitis will not need to be first screened using a wax capsule as ulcerative colitis does not predispose patients to intestinal strictures. Participants allowed to proceed with the Atmo Gas Capsule will then fast overnight before presenting to the Department of Gastroenterology at Concord Hospital where they will swallow one Atmo Gas Capsule under supervision, before fasting for a further 6 hours. This will be repeated in 8-12 weeks following treatment of their active inflammatory bowel disease. In each case, once the At |