Breath analysis using electronic nose in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Breath analysis using electronic nose in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

  • IRAS ID

    219637

  • Contact name

    Gareth-Rhys Jones

  • Contact email

    gareth.jones@ed.ac.uk

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    Wellcome Trust Research Facility, E151593

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 18 days

  • Research summary

    Human exhaled breath contains over 3000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that vary in relative concentration in health and disease. Disorders affecting the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), produce a different balance of organic compounds as a by-product of altered metabolism in disease which are detectable in exhaled breath.

    A compact electronic device known as SpiroNose (electronic nose) is medically adapted and clinically validated in patients with lung conditions. We aim to analyse breath with the electronic nose in patients with IBD as a means of non-invasive identification of IBD and assessment of disease activity.

    The IBDs composing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gut caused from a combination of genetic predisposition and an abnormal immune response. Colonoscopy is the gold standard in diagnosing IBD, but can be unpleasant and may rarely lead to complications. There is an unmet need to develop a rapid, non-invasive method of identifying and assessing IBD.

    Common Invent (Delft, Netherlands) together with the respiratory department at the Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC) have adapted the electronic nose known as SpiroNose as a prototype device for clinical use. Sensitive electronic sensors detect molecules in breath and generate signals. Complex algorithms and analytical technicals allow pattern recognition of breath samples from different subjects. Data generated from the electronic nose will not be used in the pursuit of a CE mark. Well charaterised patients will be selected into clinical categories of IBD and be compared with healthy individuals. Patients will be recruited from the IBD unit at the Western General Hospital, with assessment of exhaled breath performed at the Wellcome Trust Research Facility at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh over a planned duration of 18months.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 02

  • REC reference

    17/SS/0026

  • Date of REC Opinion

    24 Feb 2017

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion