Active clinical trials for "Emphysema"

To test the effectiveness of a self-management program for chronic obstructive disease (COPD) patients. The program to improve adherence could be conducted by nurses or other clinic staff in settings where comprehensive rehabilitation services were not available.

A. Statement of Hypotheses: HIV-infected patients have an increased incidence of emphysema compared to non-HIV-infected smokers, and it has been hypothesized that this accelerated disease progression is the result of one or more latent infections that amplifies the pulmonary inflammatory response to cigarette smoke. Pneumocystis is one infectious agent that likely plays a key role in the development of HIV-associated emphysema. Colonization with Pneumocystis has been demonstrated in HIV-infected subjects, and HIV-infected smokers are particularly susceptible to Pc colonization regardless of CD4 cell count or use of prophylaxis. Pneumocystis colonization is also increased in non-HIV-infected patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is directly related to the severity of the disease. The presence of Pneumocystis in the lungs, even at low levels as seen in colonization, produces inflammatory changes similar to those seen in COPD, with increases in the numbers of neutrophils and cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes. We propose that Pneumocystis accelerates emphysema in HIV-infected smokers by stimulating inflammation and tissue destruction. We will examine the role of co-infection with Pneumocystis in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated emphysema and the mechanism by which it causes emphysema progression. These studies will lead to information that will provide a rational basis for prevention and therapy of HIV-associated emphysema and provide a model for emphysema in the general population

Despite the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), lung diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in those with HIV infection. There have been no large-scale studies detailing pulmonary complications in the HAART era. Substantial gaps exist in our knowledge of the spectrum and pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders in this population, particularly in women and minorities whose numbers with HIV or AIDS have increased. The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) and the Women's Interagency Health Study (WIHS) are prospective, multi-center cohorts that follow approximately 5000 HIV+ subjects and HIV- controls. Although pulmonary disease has not been an area of focus, these established cohorts provide a unique opportunity to systematically study pulmonary complications of HIV infection. Emphysema is of particular interest in the current HIV era because it is likely to increase as this population lives longer with chronic HIV. HIV-infected persons have an increased incidence of emphysema compared to those without HIV infection, and it has been hypothesized that this accelerated disease progression is the result of one or more latent infectious agents that amplify the pulmonary inflammation. Accelerated emphysema was described in HIV infection in a predominantly male population before HAART. The current prevalence and characteristics of HIV-associated emphysema, and the potential impact of gender, have not been rigorously defined.

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms whereby specific white cells called macrophages found in the lung release inflammatory mediators or chemicals together with enzymes that destroy the surrounding lung tissue. The hypothesis is that in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung macrophages release either more or different types of inflammatory mediators and/or destructive enzymes compared to subjects without COPD. We will isolate macrophages from small pieces of lung parenchyma. These samples are derived from lobes resected for carcinoma of the lung. We would aim to examine the responses of tissue derived macrophages in three groups of subjects, namely (i) non-smoking controls (lung carcinoma as secondary metastasis), (ii) smokers without clinical or histological signs of COPD and (iii) smokers with COPD. The resected lung tissue will be cut into small pieces and washed in order to release the macrophages from the tissue. The macrophages will then be isolated from other cell types in the washings. We will then use these isolated cells in vitro to examine the cell surface receptors in order to compare these macrophage cells with macrophages reported from bronchoalveolar lavage and monocyte derived macrophage models. We will then examine inflammatory mediator synthesis and release following stimulation of these cells. We will also examine the regulation and release of enzymes known to damage lung tissue. Using these two models we will then examine the signal transduction pathways that lead to this activation of the macrophages and investigate the effects of novel therapeutic agents to inhibit inflammatory mediator and/or enzyme synthesis and release. The objective is to identify the mechanisms whereby macrophages respond to pro-inflammatory conditions seen in COPD with a view to identify novel targets for drug therapy.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common progressive lung disease which causes breathlessness and frequent exacerbations, with patients often requiring hospitalisation. Patients with severe COPD commonly become housebound and lose their independence. They have a higher symptom burden than those with incurable lung cancer, yet are less likely to receive specialist palliative care, or to have been engaged in advance care planning (where patients discuss and often document their wishes regarding their future care). Hospital admissions become increasingly common towards the end-of-life; therefore, hospitalisation is a good opportunity to identify patients at risk of poor outcome. Such patients may wish to consider alternatives to admission and avoid intrusive treatments. Unfortunately, predicting which patients are likely to die in the near future is challenging thus far. The first step required to improve provision of palliative care services, and ensure patients are given the opportunity to make truly informed decisions about their future care, is accurate identification of those most likely to benefit. Well-designed clinical (prognostic) tools outperform clinician judgement in most settings. The investigators will compare the accuracy of one year mortality prediction of several clinical tools in patients who survive a COPD exacerbation requiring admission. This will initially be performed using existing data collected during previous research (the 1,593 patient validation study for the PEARL score - Previous admissions, extended Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score, Age, Right and Left heart failure), then confirmed in at least 310 patients admitted uniquely and consecutively with an exacerbation of COPD. The latter group of patients will be invited to participate in a longitudinal follow-up study, assessing symptom burden, quality of life, and readmissions over one year.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of endoscopic valve implantation in patients with COPD and PH on hemodynamics, symptoms, exercise tolerance and quality of life in 10 patients in a prospective study. An improvement of objective parameters may also have a prognostic significance

The aim of this study is to examine the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung disease, in particular to compare the inflammatory profile seen in asthma and COPD. Evidence for inflammation in asthma and COPD is based on the finding of increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in the lungs and respiratory secretions of these patients. The inflammatory cells produce proteases, as well as, reactive oxidant species resulting in a protease/anti-protease imbalance which favours lung destruction. The aim is to examine the inflammatory mediators released by inflammatory cells (such as, macrophages and lymphocytes) in order to determine whether there are differences between non-smoking subjects, smoking subjects and patients with asthma or COPD. Monocytes are precursors of alveolar macrophages, and both monocytes and neutrophils are recruited to the lung from the blood via the action of specific chemoattractants. We have evidence that in inflammation there are higher levels of these chemoattractants. Therefore these cells might also demonstrate the same changes seen in alveolar macrophages from these patients. We also aim to assess the role of the macrophage precursor (monocyte) and neutrophils in the blood. We will also assess lymphocyte/monocyte interaction. We will do this as the lymphocyte may be involved in the initial recruitment of inflammatory cells. We will also assess the role of cytokines involved with monocyte/macrophage/neutrophil migration in induced sputum as well as the role of induced sputum in the migration of monocytes and neutrophils into the lung. Our aim is to link the initial changes in blood to the changes causing disease in the lungs. We aim to examine cellular responses in four groups of subjects, namely (i) non-smoking controls, (ii) smokers without clinical evidence of COPD or asthma, (iii) smokers with COPD (iv) asthmatic patients.

To collect data from the 37 participating clinical centers on patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, including those who received replacement therapy with an intravenous preparation of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (A1Pi) concentrate.

The Generating Engagement in Network Involvement (GENIE) Tool is designed to support people to find and join social activities in their own neighbourhoods. Evidence has shown that people with more social support have increased ability to manage long term conditions and ill health. Patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) have difficulty breathing every day; this is both tiring and makes its difficult to socialise as they did prior to having their condition. COPD can be managed with medicines, and exercise, but will never be cured, so it is considered a 'long term condition.' This study plans to use a social mapping tool (GENIE) with COPD patients that are already part of the community service. The aim of the study is to increase opportunities to socialise and get day to day support outside of the health service. Patients will be offered either the tool, or usual care. If the study is successful then use of health care may reduce in the COPD patients already using the COPD service.

Prospective research to study the relationship between concentrations of metals/metalloids in blood, hair and lung tissue with the occurence of lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.