Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases, Obstructive"

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in severe hypercapnic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) may be associated - during sleep - with recurrent episodes of patient ventilatory asynchrony, which in turn may affect quality of sleep, efficacy of ventilation and comfort of nocturnal NIV.Polysomnography (PSG) under NIV is necessary to detect these events. Adjusting ventilator settings according to respiratory events detected by PSG with NIV may improve quality of sleep, efficacy of ventilation and comfort of nocturnal NIV.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition associated with major disability. There is strong evidence that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves outcomes and is cost saving, but fewer than 2% of patients have access to these programs. New methods of PR are needed to increase access of patients with COPD to these established benefits. To address this gap we propose a novel physical activity self-management (PASM) program based on an evidence-based physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity and quality of life. Key components of the program include tailored telephone counseling, a workbook, and computer-assisted telephone follow-up. We will test the following two hypotheses: 1) Patients with COPD who receive PASM have clinically and statistically significant improvements in functional performance (i.e., Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire [CRQ] dyspnea domain and 6-minute walk) compared to patients who receive UC. 2) The PASM program is more cost-effective compared to the UC. The project addresses a major gap in the current management of COPD and may provide a novel, cost-effective strategy for improving functional performance and health status.

The objectives of this study are to investigate the effectiveness of Acu-TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied on acupoints) on lung functions and quality of life and to explore the associated underlying mechanisms in subjects with COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects at least 750,000 Canadians and is currently the 4th leading cause of death in Canada. Almost everyone with COPD suffers from shortness of breath (dyspnea) that worsens over time despite standard treatment (inhalers, exercise programs and oxygen). Patients and families have identified relief from dyspnea as a top priority for improved care. New approaches are needed for treating advanced COPD to lessen the burden that it places on the lives of patients and families alike. Opioid drugs, such as morphine, can help in COPD in many ways, including reducing dyspnea, fear and anxiety. Opioids are used widely in cancer for similar symptoms. However, there are historical biases against their use in advanced COPD (mostly due to fear of side effects when much higher doses than the investigators intend have been used in the past). No studies have assessed the value to patients of using low dose opioids in advanced COPD in addition to conventional treatment. The investigators are planning a study that involves recording interviews with about 30 patients and their partner or key family member before and after starting treatment with low dose morphine, to understand their experiences with using morphine. The investigators will also ask them to complete questionnaires about quality of life, dyspnea, anxiety, depression and fear. Descriptions of experiences of using morphine have the potential to inform patients, families, clinicians and professional societies about the benefits and harms of opioid use for dyspnea in the advanced stages of a common serious lung disease when traditional treatments often fail. The investigators will conduct the study in both urban (Halifax and Saskatoon) and in a rural setting (New Brunswick). The investigators' study of an inexpensive and widely available treatment has the potential to improve care and outcomes in advanced COPD for the many Canadians living and dying with this serious lung disease.

This study addresses self management and maintenance of health through evaluation of a program of patient education in combination with physical training and with a structured follow-up. It is hypothesized that such a program will: improve quality of life, physical functioning, coping in everyday-life reduce hospitalization and (re-)admissions for patients with chronic disease, reduce consumption of home care services and can increase consumption of general practice and physiotherapy services in primary health care. improve patient satisfaction and health care providers satisfaction

Airway dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in smoke-related lung diseases. In this study, the researchers investigate the effects of fluticasone and salmeterol on human airway DCs in smokers. The researchers hypothesize that fluticasone and salmeterol impact on the number and the characteristics of airway DCs in smokers.

The study is designed to investigate the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the free base formulation of AZD9668. The study will compared the relative bioavailability of the free base formulation at two different dose levels compared to the tosylate salt formulation.

Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients develop leg weakness and a reduced walking capacity, due to reduced leg muscle oxygen-utilising capacity (OUC). Animal experiments indicate that low muscle levels of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR) cause the reduced muscle OUC. Aims In COPD patients, investigate whether: reduced muscle PPAR levels cause reduced leg muscle OUC, by investigating a correlation between these in muscle samples (Study 1). training increases muscle PPAR levels in proportion to increases in OUC, as should occur if PPARs control OUC (Study 2). muscle PPAR levels and walking capacity correlate (Study 1 and 2). 3. the new technique of repetitive stimulation of the nerve to the leg with a magnet (rMS) improves muscle OUC (Study 2). Study 1 Leg weakness and walking ability are assessed in 75 patients, then a leg muscle sample is taken to measure PPARs and OUC. Study 2 60 Study 1 patients have either cardiovascular training, rMS, or no training, for 8 weeks, then are re-studied as in Study 1. Importance If reduced PPAR levels correspond with leg weakness, medicines can be developed to target these receptors and treat weakness. If rMS is effective, it can be offered to patients.

NAVA used the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) to initiate and deliver in proportion of an inspiratory assistance. During inspiration, EAdi signal occurred earlier than airflow or pressure variations in the airway. The investigators hypothesized that NAVA improved patient-ventilator synchrony and reduced inspiratory workload as compared with pressure support ventilation delivered at two different cycling criteria (25 and 50 %).

The purpose of this study is to assess the tolerability (effect of drug on body) and pharmacokinetics (effect of body on drug) of AZD9668 in patients with mild to moderate COPD