Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases, Obstructive"

Objective: To investigate the potential role of endothelial dysfunction as a pathogenic mechanism of cardiovascular events in COPD. Hypothesis: endothelial function is abnormal in patients with COPD, particularly during exacerbations of the disease. Design: prospective and controlled study performed in an university hospital. Population: we compare 4 groups of subjects, 44 patients with stable COPD, 35 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, 10 smokers or former smokers with normal lung function and 10 never smokers matched by physical activity and BMI. Study variables: a) clinical variables: clinical information, physical examination, pulmonary function tests, ECG and sputum culture; b) Biological variables: number of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells, vascular growth factors (vascular endothelial growht factor and erythropoietin), systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein, white blood cells), peripheral venous blood test (including hemogram, biochemical analysis with glycemia, cholesterol, LDLcol, HDLcol); and c) systemic vascular reactivity assessment.

Patients with COPD have been found to have an increased risk of osteoporosis. The underlying mechanism is not clear yet. This case control study aims to identify risk factors for osteoporosis in GOLD II COPD patients. COPD GOLD II patients with osteoporosis (cases) will be matched by gender and age to COPD GOLD II patients without osteoporosis(controls). Possible risk factors for osteoporosis are: BMI/VVMI (body composition) emphysema vs chronic bronchitis physical capacity Use of certain medication (eg corticosteroids, SSRI's) Nutritional status Infectious parameters Outpatients from the pulmonary ward of the Catharina Hospital Eindhoven with GOLD II COPD according to the ATS and GOLD-guidelines will be included in the study (after written informed consent). A DEXA-scan will be made, if patients are osteoporotic or have a normal BMD they will be included in the study. A HRCT will be made, a six minutes walking distance will be performed, blood will be drawn for lab. analysis, an X-ray of the vertebral collum will be made, impedance will be measured and hight and weight will be measuered. Also patients will fill in a questionaire. By univariate and multivariate analysis the collected data will be analysed to determine possible risk factors for th development of osteoporosis in COPD GOLD II patients.

In the present study inflammatory mediators will be isolated in induced sputum and exhaled breath condensate and will be correlated with particulate matter measured in these samples.Particulate matter will be assessed by partcle size distribution method and shape analysis. The aim of the study is to perform biological monitoring in environmental and occupational diseases in a non invassive fashion.

This study is investigating how patients with severe stable state COPD perceive the variability of their symptoms throughout the day, the week and the year; the impact of these variations on their daily activities or sleep quality and how they deal with their treatments. For this purpose patients will be asked to answer a questionnaire over the phone

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is characterized by fixed airflow obstruction. The cornerstone of the disease is chronic inflammation leading to narrowing of the small airways and thus impairment of lung function. Compared to spirometry, the single breath N2-washout-test is more sensitive to identify the regional heterogeneity of bronchial airflow obstruction in the small airways. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the sbN2-test, markers in exhaled air and the inflammatory cells in the small airways.

This project will examine the current diagnosis and treatment of bone health in patients with obstructive airway disease. Patients will be referred to The Osteoporosis Centre of BC (OCBC) by their respirologist to be assessed for osteoporosis including Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Previous chest xrays and will be accessed and examined for vertebral fractures, diagnostic of osteoporosis. The lung and bone data will be entered into a database. This will allow us to explore the relationship of lung disease parameters to osteoporosis predictors, eventually determining a respirology patient population who are at high risk of fracture. Longitudinal evaluation of bone health and its relationship to respiratory parameters over time will be explored by follow-up evaluations at 12 and 24 months.

To characterize the nature of pulmonary responses to organic dust exposures in order to gain insight into patterns of respiratory disease in agricultural workers.

To examine the relationship of specific dietary factors to risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The association between viscera and the body surface remains obscure, but a better understanding of it will maximize its diagnostic and therapeutic values in clinical practice. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the specificity of the association between viscera and the body surface in the pathological state.

The primary aim of our study is to examine the relationship between balance and respiratory function, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional capacity, and cognitive function in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The secondary aim of our study is to compare respiratory function, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional capacity, balance, and cognitive functions of COPD patients and healthy individuals. This study will examine and record the participant's sociodemographic information and medical records. Balance, respiratory function, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional capacity, and cognitive function will be assessed. Since the patients are included in this study, no intervention will be made, no additional tests will be performed, or no changes will be made in the routine treatments of the patients during the study.