Developing and Validating a Patient-reported Outcome Instrument to Monitor Symptom Management in...
Cystic FibrosisThe aim of this study is to develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure symptom management (experience and / or management strategies) during exacerbation episodes in CF patients. For the development a sequential exploratory two phase mixed-method study will be applied. In a first step, up to 25 CF patients will be interviewed: approximately 15 CF patients who experienced at least one episode of exacerbation in the past year and approximately CF 10 patients who are currently experiencing an exacerbation. The latter group will be interviewed up to 3 times during and after the antibiotic treatment. The instruments initial item list will be developed on basis of the interviews. Up to five health professionals will rate the items' relevance. In a further step, items' clarity and relevance will be assessed by cognitive debriefing interviews with no more than 10 patients. In the last step (part III), the instrument's preliminary construct and concurrent validity and reliability will be tested in a larger sample up to 150 patients experiencing exacerbation. Patients will be asked to complete the newly developed questionnaires and a set of other questionnaires at one time point. For part III, ethic approval will be asked at a later date (2015).
Breath Analysis in Lung Fibrosis
Idiopathic Lung FibrosisIdiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisThe aim of the study is to answer the question whether a disease specific profile of breath in patients with idiopathic lung fibrosis can be detected by an untargeted metabolomic study using exhaled breath analysis by mass spectrometry.
Prevalence and Impact of Depression and Anxiety in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic FibrosisThe Impact of cystic fibrosis (CF) on psychological and emotional functioning has been the focus of several studies over the past 20 years. The results from a current meta-analysis indicated that depressed patients were three times more likely to be noncompliant with treatment recommendations than nondepressed patients with chronic illness. To date, most studies of the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms have been limited by small sample size; reliance on samples of convenience that are potentially biased in term of rates of symptomatology, and measures that contain legitimate symptoms that are part of the respondent's chronic disease. Estimating the prevalence of depression and anxiety has become important as new evidence indicates that these symptoms may have a significant impact on health outcomes, including adherence to medical treatments, utilization of health care services, and rates of morbidity and mortality. More depressive the symptoms are associated with poorer lung function, and that in the absence of depression, poor lung function is minimally associated with lower patient ratings of quality of life. The purpose of the current study is to estimate the regional, and if possible the national prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms in children and adults with CF and parents caregivers. Patients with CF ages 14 to 17, and parents of children ages 14 to 17, will complete and depression/anxiety screening measure at a routine clinic visit. These will then be linked with demographic and medical variables reported to the CF registry and analyzed cross sectionally. Adults with CF ages 18 and older will also complete the depression / anxiety screening measure at a routine clinic visit. Efforts will be made to recruit a representative sample of patients from each clinic.
Standardized CEUS Algorithms for Diagnosis of HCC - Prospective German Multicenter Study
Hepatocellular CarcinomaCholangiocarcinoma5 moreAim of this prospective national multicenter study is to improve standardization of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. The study is funded by the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM).
Correlation of Hepatitis C, Alcoholic Liver Disease, and Renal Failure With Hyperfibrinolysis in...
CirrhosisFurther characterize the incidence of hyperfibrinolysis in cirrhotics Correlate hyperfibrinolysis with hepatitis C alcoholic liver disease the subset of a&b with renal failure with and without dialysis Better describe the hyperfibrinolytic ROTEM profile in cirrhotics
Fecal Calprotectin in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic FibrosisElevated fecal calprotectin is a biomarker for intestinal inflammation in cystic fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Flow Rates Study
Cystic FibrosisWe wish to measure the inspiratory flow and volumes generated by the subjects inhaling from a spirometer with a high resistance dry powder inhaler in series in subjects with cystic fibrosis.
The Microvascular Complications Study
Cystic Fibrosis Related DiabetesOur general aim is to determine the prevalence of diabetic microvascular complications in CFRD patients with and without fasting hyperglycemia, and to explore whether the presence of these complications is related to diabetes or CF factors. This cross-sectional study will provide pilot data for a longitudinal study of diabetes complications in CF.
Non-Invasive Biomarkers in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic FibrosisBackground Chronic airway inflammation is present in cystic fibrosis. Non-invasive inflammometry may be useful in disease management. Objective We studied 1) the ability of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and inflammatory markers (acidity, nitrite, nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, 8-isoprostane, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2,-4,-5,-10) in exhaled breath condensate, to discriminate between cystic fibrosis and control children, and, 2) the relationship of biomarkers with control and severity of cystic fibrosis. Methods In 98 children (48 cystic fibrosis / 50 controls), condensate was collected using a glass condenser. Exhaled nitric oxide was measured using the NIOX®.
Capsule Endoscopy in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic FibrosisCystic Fibrosis patients continue to have bowel problems even after adequate pancreatic enzyme supplementation. There may be pathology of the lining of the bowel. Capsule endoscopy will be used to photograph the entire bowel.