Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases, Obstructive"

The intent of this clinical study is to answer the questions: 1) Is the proposed treatment safe and 2) Is treatment effective in improving the health of patients with human Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are leading causes of death and health care use. Diffuse airways inflammation is seen in COPD and is thought to be the reason for deterioration of lung function in COPD. Currently there is no medication available that can modify or reduce this inflammation. Furthermore, from literature review it has been shown that chronic inflammation can result in cancerous changes. Curcumin is a food additive used for centuries. Several studies showed that curcumin suppress the different inflammatory pathways. Specially, the TNF-alpha and the NF kappa-b are down regulated by this substance. This study was designed to evaluate effect of combination of curcumin+Bioprine on sputum cytology in patients with COPD. This is double-blind randomized pilot study.

Endorphins are naturally occurring narcotic substances that are released when individuals perform exercise. The hypothesis of the study is that endorphins reduce the severity of breathlessness during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The initial five visits include familiarization and validation of a computerized system for patients to report dyspnea and leg discomfort continuously during exercise testing. At Visits 6 and 7 blood is drawn to measure serum endorphin levels pre-exercise, end exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise. Normal saline or naloxone is given intravenously 5 minutes prior to exercise in a double-blinded design. The primary outcome is the slope of oxygen consumption - dyspnea.

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of erythropoietin treatment of anemia on exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy and tolerance of autotitrating non-invasive ventilation (NIV) versus standard NIV in patients admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure. The investigators hypothesise that autotitrating NIV will ventilate patients with acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory failure as effectively as standard NIV.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia and exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, which are associated with morbidity, mortality, and higher health-care cost. In addition, recently high daily dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy became more evident to be beneficial in moderate-to-severe COPD patients, but excess risk of pneumonia shown in database analysis was worried about by primary physicians. The use of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination (PPSV23) has protective efficacy to eliminate infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae from previous studies. If the use of PPSV23 can reduce the incidence of pneumonia or exacerbations in COPD patients using high daily dose of ICS, the benefit of ICS can be preserved and risk of pneumonia can be reduced. However, there is only limited data supporting this hypothesis. In this study, the investigators will conduct a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy of PPSV23 in severe COPD patients using high daily dose of ICS.

Goal: The main goal of this study is to develop and validate educational materials that aim to improve self-management knowledge and practices about COPD among patients in Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking communities in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA). Objectives: "1." To assess the current landscape of COPD beliefs, perceptions and practices, as well as health literacy as it relates to Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking patients; "2." To develop effective partnerships within primary care physicians serving Chinese newcomers in the GVA' "3." To conduct focus group sessions with collaborative primary care physicians to identify common factors that contribute to under service and access barriers among patients in the target communities; "4." To assess the effectiveness of the educational materials on patients' beliefs, perceptions, practices, and health literacy related to COPD control and self-management; and "5." To improve the capacity of physicians and allied health workers in primary care settings in educating patients and their families about self-management of COPD. The implementation of the project will include the following phases: "1." Build and strengthen established partnerships with primary care practices serving newcomers in GVA; "2." Conduct an environmental scan and needs assessment (literature review, interviews and focus groups with community members and key-informants); "3." Development of story scripts, video clips and other educational materials, and relevant measurement tools; "4." Application of the video clips and other educational materials to test their effectiveness on health literacy, beliefs, and knowledge among COPD patients from the target communities; and "5." Evaluation of the usefulness of videos and other educational materials, and the project's process and outcomes.

In the Lung Health Study I, to determine the effects of Special Care, compared to Usual Care, on rate of decline in pulmonary function in a group of cigarette smokers identified as having mild abnormalities in pulmonary function. In the Lung Health Study III, to determine the long-term effects of smoking cessation and continued smoking, on cardiopulmonary morbidity, mortality, and the rate of decline in the one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in men and women with early chronic obstructive lung disease who have been followed prospectively for 12 to 15 years.

Purpose: In a randomized controlled trial we will assess the effect of early pulmonary rehabilitation in patient with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (AECOPD).

In this trial, the investigators will evaluate the effect of acetazolamide (375 mg per day) vs. placebo on exercise performance at altitude in patients with COPD.