Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases, Obstructive"

In the context of improved survival from HIV infection itself, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); a form of lung disease that includes emphysema, which makes breathing difficult) is emerging as an important cause of morbidity and perhaps ultimately mortality in this population. HIV-infected patients are at increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, likely due to multiple factors, including an increased presence of smoking, chronic inflammation and progression of immunodeficiency, oxidant stress (excessive levels of natural chemicals called oxidants and free radicals that can damage tissue), and respiratory infections. While natural history data on COPD are limited in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy, earlier data suggest that the course of emphysema may be accelerated in this population. Our preliminary data suggest that several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) derived from alveolar macrophages (a type of immune cell found in the lungs) have an increased cellular response in HIV-infected smokers, which could contribute to accelerated emphysema. Matrix metalloproteinases are enzymes that break down the structural support of tissues, including the airways in the lung. Based on these observations, the investigators hypothesize that pharmacologic inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases by doxycycline will favorably modify the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in HIV-infected patients. To test this hypothesis, the investigators propose conducting a proof of concept pilot study as a prelude to a possible phase II randomized, placebo-controlled trial (testing safety and efficacy in a larger population controlled with a "sugar pill") of doxycycline for COPD in HIV-infected patients should the proof of concept be successful. Our research team is lead by a pulmonologist/researcher with expertise in HIV-associated COPD and an infectious diseases specialist/clinical trials expert.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present slowed pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR) kinetics compared with age-matched controls. Patients with COPD present significant loss of body mass, decreased strength and endurance of respiratory muscles and lower limbs, leading reduced exercise capacity. This reduced exercise capacity can be marked by slowed kinetics of VO2 and HR at the onset of heavy-intensity exercise. Additionally, derangements in the diffusive and convective transport of oxygen to skeletal muscle mitocondria, and intramyocyte metabolic machinery, higher ventilation and disturbances in mechanics of breathing, hypoxemia, pulmonary hemodynamics, autonomic balance, and peripheral vasodilation, and accumulation of by-products that might be related to increased muscle fatigability could slow the response of systemic (central) and peripheral (microvascular) oxygen delivery to a point where the kinetics of VO2 might become limited by O2 availability and HR. Thus, the physical training programs of the lower limbs, in addition to presenting scientific evidence "A", are important components, resulting in the reversal of the manifestations of COPD, resulting in improvement in exercise capacity, well significantly speeded VO2 and HR kinetics in patients with COPD. However, it should be taken into account the choice of an appropriate program limitations and severity of disease. Assuming that COPD patients present slower VO2 and HR kinetics, the investigators hypothesized that the heavy-intense interval physical training in equipament elliptical would promote a greater increase in the functionality (functional performance) and speeded kinetics in the cycle ergometer and elliptical equipment constant-load intense exercises tests of COPD patients. In this context, the present study intends to evaluate and compare the effects of resistive plus aerobic physical training and interval physical training on oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) kinetics responses at the onset in cycle ergometer and elliptical equipment constant-load intense exercises tests in patients with COPD.

This is a Phase IIIa, multicenter, randomized, stratified (reversibility status), double-blind, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FF/VI 100/25 micrograms (mcg) once daily (QD) compared with VI 25 mcg QD, administered in the morning via the ELLIPTA™ inhaler. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the contribution on lung function (as measured by trough forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) of FF 100 mcg to the FF/VI 100/25 mcg QD combination by comparison of the latter with VI 25 mcg QD and the safety of FF/VI 100/25 mcg over a 12-week treatment period in subjects with COPD. ELLIPTA™ is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

A second sub-analysis of the BACE trial will include a detailed cost-effectiveness study.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of nocturnal oxygen therapy during a stay at moderate altitude on breathing and sleep of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

The objective of the REACT trial is to investigate the effect of roflumilast 500 μg tablets once daily versus placebo on exacerbation rate and pulmonary function in COPD patients who are concomitantly treated with a fixed combination of long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and inhaled glucocorticosteroids (ICS). In addition, data on safety and tolerability of roflumilast will be obtained. An additional objective is to further characterize the population pharmacokinetic profile of roflumilast and roflumilast N oxide and to further characterize their pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) relationship in terms of efficacy and relevant safety aspects. Patients to be included are required to have severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of frequent exacerbations and must be concomitantly treated with a fixed combination of LABA and ICS. Two parallel treatment arms (roflumilast 500 μg once daily and placebo) are included.

Rehabilitation and physical therapy strategies targeting extra pulmonary manifestations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)are far from being well defined. Studies, performed in healthy subjects using threshold breathing device [a simple method to increase inspiratory muscle load] have shown that ventilatory muscle overactivation during loaded breathing may prime reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, thus initiating an inflammatory response that results in elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL_6. Increase of cytokine IL_6 in turn, elicits a cascade of systemic responses, involving hormone like glucoregulatory mechanisms, lipolysis and fat oxidation, as well as control of breathing. Thermal mud bath therapy has been acknowledged for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in several chronic diseases. However, it is not considered among treatment options of chronic pulmonary disease. Previous experimental studies indicate that trace elements of thermal treatments, particularly iodide and bromide, may positively intervene in the setup and maintenance of active state in skeletal muscle. These findings suggest that in COPD patients these elements may improve the loading and endurance of respiratory muscles and therefore blunt ventilatory muscle overactivation and the ensuing inflammatory cytokine response. In this study the investigators want to test two major hypotheses. First, that mud bath therapy reduces systemic inflammatory processes in COPD patients, increases respiratory muscle endurance and normalizes the ventilatory response. Second, that the increase in systemic inflammation after IRB exercise is blunted by mud bath therapy.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a tablet medication, called metformin, in flare-ups (exacerbations) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The investigators believe that metformin may effectively control the blood sugar level during COPD exacerbations. This is important because there is evidence that a high blood sugar level during exacerbations may be linked with a worse prognosis. The investigators also think that metformin may have other potentially useful effects on inflammation, antioxidant levels, the effectiveness of steroid treatment, and recovery.

Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TCEMS) is well established intervention for rehabilitation of clinically stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The investigators have conceived this study to test whether TCEMS is feasible and tolerated by patients experiencing severe physical and psychical challenge of acutely exacerbated COPD.

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the revised Living Well With COPD programme (LWWCOPD for Pulmonary Rehabilitation) when used to deliver the education component of pulmonary rehabilitation.