Active clinical trials for "Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive"

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent airway disease characterized by both bronchial inflammation and remodelling. Bronchial mucosa is infiltrated by macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes. In addition, the number of eosinophils can be also increased during exacerbation. Airway remodelling is an abnormal tissue repair following bronchial inflammation, which contributes to none reversible pathological features, such as bronchial and peri-bronchial fibrosis. It also influences the prognosis of COPD and its mechanisms remain largely unknown. The role of fibrocytes has been demonstrated in the pathophysiology of asthma, lung fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension. However, the recruitment of blood fibrocytes and their involvement in COPD airway remodelling remain unknown.

The purpose of this study is to ensure the quality of the COPD treatment in primary care by implementing planned follow-up visits, where the disease condition is evaluated and optimised in accordance with the national COPD recommendations. If relevant the general practitioner (GP) will refer patients to COPD rehabilitation conducted by relevant municipality rehabilitation teams. Secondarily the purpose is to improve collaboration and communication between the local hospital pulmonologist, GPs and the municipality rehabilitation team

Objective: To investigate the potential role of endothelial dysfunction as a pathogenic mechanism of cardiovascular events in COPD. Hypothesis: endothelial function is abnormal in patients with COPD, particularly during exacerbations of the disease. Design: prospective and controlled study performed in an university hospital. Population: we compare 4 groups of subjects, 44 patients with stable COPD, 35 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, 10 smokers or former smokers with normal lung function and 10 never smokers matched by physical activity and BMI. Study variables: a) clinical variables: clinical information, physical examination, pulmonary function tests, ECG and sputum culture; b) Biological variables: number of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells, vascular growth factors (vascular endothelial growht factor and erythropoietin), systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein, white blood cells), peripheral venous blood test (including hemogram, biochemical analysis with glycemia, cholesterol, LDLcol, HDLcol); and c) systemic vascular reactivity assessment.

Patients with COPD have been found to have an increased risk of osteoporosis. The underlying mechanism is not clear yet. This case control study aims to identify risk factors for osteoporosis in GOLD II COPD patients. COPD GOLD II patients with osteoporosis (cases) will be matched by gender and age to COPD GOLD II patients without osteoporosis(controls). Possible risk factors for osteoporosis are: BMI/VVMI (body composition) emphysema vs chronic bronchitis physical capacity Use of certain medication (eg corticosteroids, SSRI's) Nutritional status Infectious parameters Outpatients from the pulmonary ward of the Catharina Hospital Eindhoven with GOLD II COPD according to the ATS and GOLD-guidelines will be included in the study (after written informed consent). A DEXA-scan will be made, if patients are osteoporotic or have a normal BMD they will be included in the study. A HRCT will be made, a six minutes walking distance will be performed, blood will be drawn for lab. analysis, an X-ray of the vertebral collum will be made, impedance will be measured and hight and weight will be measuered. Also patients will fill in a questionaire. By univariate and multivariate analysis the collected data will be analysed to determine possible risk factors for th development of osteoporosis in COPD GOLD II patients.

In the present study inflammatory mediators will be isolated in induced sputum and exhaled breath condensate and will be correlated with particulate matter measured in these samples.Particulate matter will be assessed by partcle size distribution method and shape analysis. The aim of the study is to perform biological monitoring in environmental and occupational diseases in a non invassive fashion.

This study is investigating how patients with severe stable state COPD perceive the variability of their symptoms throughout the day, the week and the year; the impact of these variations on their daily activities or sleep quality and how they deal with their treatments. For this purpose patients will be asked to answer a questionnaire over the phone

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is characterized by fixed airflow obstruction. The cornerstone of the disease is chronic inflammation leading to narrowing of the small airways and thus impairment of lung function. Compared to spirometry, the single breath N2-washout-test is more sensitive to identify the regional heterogeneity of bronchial airflow obstruction in the small airways. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the sbN2-test, markers in exhaled air and the inflammatory cells in the small airways.

Danish Quality Assurance Project on Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD in Outpatient Lung Clinics

To characterize the nature of pulmonary responses to organic dust exposures in order to gain insight into patterns of respiratory disease in agricultural workers.

To examine the relationship of specific dietary factors to risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.