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 disease pathology of patients with diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Randomized, placebo controlled trial evaluating efficacy of dexamethasone in preventing acute mountain sickness in lowlanders with chronic obstructive lung disease travelling from 700 m to 3200 m.

Breathlessness, the sensation of breathing discomfort, is a major problem in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathlessness that persists despite optimal management of the underlying disease(s) is said to be refractory. Preliminary evidence suggests that a small, regular dose of morphine helps to reduce safely the sensation of breathlessness. However, this research on morphine for breathlessness has not defined the best way to adjust the dose of the medication, or refined which people are most likely to have benefit, no response or side effects. This is a randomized, double-blind phase III trial in people with COPD and significant refractory breathlessness, which will explore several important questions: Are regular, low dose opioids (morphine) at four possible doses over 3 weeks more effective than placebo medication (containing no active ingredient) at improving breathlessness? Does the medication have any effect on daily activity, breathlessness, and quality of life? What are the common side effects of this intervention? Does the benefit from the drug outweigh the side effects it produces? Are there specific characteristics of people who are more likely to receive benefit from sustained release morphine? Participants will be allocated to receive three weeks of morphine sulfate (and laxative, docusate with senna), or placebo (and placebo laxative). The dose of morphine may be increased each week for weeks two and three. All medicines will appear the same (blinded) and neither the doctor nor the participant will know which medication the participant is receiving. Participants will have a medical interview, physical examination to collect some general health information, and baseline measurements including; daily activity, symptoms, and quality of life. A small amount of blood may be required to check eligibility. Further blood samples may be taken at week 1 and 3 to enable testing on how individuals respond to opioids, further consent will be obtained for these samples. Data on benefits, side effects, and medical care will be collected during comprehensive weekly visits. Participants will also fill out a simple diary twice daily for weeks one to three of the study, and for one day each week during an optional 3 month extension stage. The outcome of this study may enable better management of symptoms and activity in people COPD with medicines that are shown to be effective and safe.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of monitoring patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after a hospitalization for COPD exacerbation or pneumonia. The patients are randomized to receive either standard treatment and follow up, or standard treatment and follow up, plus tele monitoring of key clinical parameters and symptoms for six months.

The purpose of this Phase II study is to assess the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the investigational Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) vaccine in patients with moderate and severe persistent airflow obstruction.

Bronchial obstruction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is caused by inflammation of peripheral airways walls. Neutrophils and other inflammatory mediators Interleukin-6 (IL6), Interleukin-8 (IL8), Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha),Interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta), Tumor Necrosis Factor alfa (TNF-alfa), Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), Nitric Oxyde (NO) are implicated in the inflammation. Exhaled NO concentration is usually used to monitor bronchial inflammation The relationship between decubitus and small airways behaviour is not well understood. Our hypothesis is that cyclic opening and closure of peripheral airways during decubitus can provoke an inflammatory response which can be monitored by exhaled NO. Data about these physiopathological aspects is missing in literature.

To test whether supplementation with selenium and/or vitamin E affects pulmonary function.

Assess predictors of mortality in COPD exacerbation between men and women. Evaluate the clinical outcomes in acute exacerbation of COPD in women. Evaluate the validity of new scoring systems ( NIVO, DECAF, HACOR ) as a predictor for hospital outcome in acute exacerbation of COPD. Compare these new scoring system with the most widely used APACHE IV. Assessment of serum level of granulocyte colony stimulating factor ( GM-CSF) in detecting the severity of COPD exacerbation.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease, causing disabling respiratory symptoms and impairing patients' quality of life. Currently one of the leading causes of death worldwide, COPD is a major socio-economic concern. It is also accompanied by extremely frequent extra-respiratory manifestations (or co-morbidities). Among these secondary manifestations, the equilibrium of these patients is subject to modifications: thus, numerous studies have shown that the equilibrium of COPD patients was altered compared to healthy age-matched subjects. This alteration is associated with a greater functional limitation and a higher risk of falling. Although this impairment has been demonstrated clinically, the balance of these patients has never been analysed using quantified movement analysis tools during tasks similar to those performed in daily life. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown and the possible associations with several clinical factors of interest (pain, dyspnea, muscle function...) have not yet been assessed. The hypotheses of this project are that (1) the postural control of COPD patients is altered compared to healthy subjects during tasks of daily living and these changes can be characterised. (2) Several clinical factors are associated with these changes.

The goal of this research is to determine the utility of Regadenoson (Lexiscan)for use as an imaging agent with cardiac MR. If found useful, it will help us establish a protocol for regadenoson stress MR perfusion (Regadenoson stress test with cardiac MR).The investigators will compare regadenoson with dobutamine so each participant will undergo two studies. A cardiac MR stress test with regadenoson and with dobutamine. The investigators participants will include patients with history of COPD and Asthma, so it will also help us determine feasibility of Regadenoson in these patient's subgroups.