Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases"

This trial will evaluate the effect of acetazolamide (375 mg per day) vs. placebo on right ventricular function during exercise at acute altitude exposure in patients with COPD.

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

The aim of our study is to assess miRNAs expression profiles in the circuling blood of patients with cystic fibrosis and highlight "signatures" that could reflect the pulmonary status of patients

The present study aims to assess the prevalence and impact of comorbid psychiatric disorders among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), in order to determine the effects of psychiatric comorbidity on exercise tolerance and physical activity post-PR and HRQoL, as well as to determine the processes by which these psychiatric disorders may impact on these patient behaviours.

We want to compare 2 new systems for obtaining very detailed images of the smallest airways, in the hope that they can be used to provide useful information about lung diseases without the need for invasive tests. Two new systems have been developed for use down the bronchoscope, which provide video imaging of the smallest airways, each system looking at a different aspect of the structure of the airway walls. In principal, this method could provide useful information which may reduce the need for a surgical lung biopsy. We will therefore be assessing the value of the additional information obtained with these two new systems. The purpose of this research project is to gather information using both systems to gain a greater understanding of the tissue characteristics of various diseases without the need for a biopsy.

This is a parallel group, double-blind, placebo controlled, multi-centre, randomised trial. 60 patients to be included who are adult patients admitted to hospital with a clinical diagnosis of acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Acute exacerbation of COPD will be defined as sustained worsening of the patient's condition with an increase in cough and one or more of dyspnoea, sputum volume or sputum purulence, necessitating a change in regular medication. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of standard care plus erdosteine in reducing hourly cough (24 hour cough recording using automated cough recorder) measured from baseline (Day 0) and at Day 5 of treatment, compared with standard care plus placebo.

A study multicenter, phase III, randomized, open label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of formoterol/fluticasone and salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that will enroll 336 subjects aged ≥ 40 years, smokers or former smokers, diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, classified as moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or severe according to GOLD spirometric classification. The subjects will be allocated in 2 parallel groups and will receive the medicines of study, according of the randomization during a 24-week.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of vitamin D intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing rehabilitation.

Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is a bronchoscopic procedure used to obtain peripheral lung tissue. Small size and artefacts cause variable, and usually poor, diagnostic yield. The use of cryoprobes may allow for larger size and better quality biopsy samples. Objectives:To analyze the histological quality and immunohistochemical findings of samples obtained by cryoprobe compared with TBLB obtained by conventional forceps and to assess the safety and complications of TBLB with cryoprobe versus the conventional method. Methodology: Prospective randomized study of 80 patients. The transbronchial lung biopsy was indicated for diagnoses of a interstitial lung disease. In both procedures the videobroncoscopy used will be a Olympus 260-T. The transbronchial lung biopsy will be carried out with conventional forceps (Boston ® Biopsy Forceps, Ref 1556 and Olympus ® FB-19E) and cryoprobe (Erbokryo AC ®). TBLB will be performed by fluoroscopy guided and the cryoprobe or forceps will place in an area of the peripheral lung previously selected according to CT findings. Lung biopsies will be processed: The samples submitted for histological analysis will be fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Staining will perform with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome and the samples will be analyzed by a pathologist according to a protocol. The samples submitted to immunohistochemical study will be frozen (liquid nitrogen) for later transport.The specifical monoclonal antibodies will be used for immunohistochemical analysis.

Background of the study: Many elderly suffer from reduced exercise tolerance or exercise induced shortness of breath (dyspnoea) which causes decreased mobility and restrictions in physical, psychological and social functioning. Patients commonly attribute this symptom to their age, and simply adjust their life style to it. Reduced exercise tolerance/dyspnoea is very common with prevalence rate of 20-60% of those aged 65 years and over. The main causus in the elderly are heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both diseases have a high negative impact on the quality of life and are associated with frequent hospital admissions. Over-diagnosis, but more often under-diagnosis of heart failure and COPD is rather common in primary care. Establishing a diagnosis early in the course of the disease is useful because both diseases can be adequately and evidence-based treated. Therefore, an easy diagnostic triage-strategy followed bij direct treatment would be of great importance to asses and treat heart failure and COPD in elderly patient with shortness of breath. Objective of the study: Quantify how many frail elderly aged over 65 years with reduced exercise tolerance and/or exercise induced dyspnoea have previously unrecognised COPD and heart failure. Quantify the difference in prevalence of unrecognised COPD and heart failure between those who underwent the diagnostic triage compared to those who received care as usual. Quantify the effect of the diagnostic triage plus the additionally treatment changes on functionality and quality of life after 6 months compared to those who received care as usual. Quantify the cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic triage strategy compared to care as usual Study design: A clustered randomized diagnostic (follow-up) study Study population: First, pre-selection of patients aged over 65 years from 50 general practices is based on frailty. Frailty is based on the next criteria: use 5 or more different types of medical drugs chronically in the last year and/or have 3 or more chronic or vitality treating diseases (such as diabetes mellitus, COPD, heart failure, impaired vision). This will be done from the electronic medical files of the general practices. These elderly will receive the MRC questionnaire of dyspnoea and three additional questions related tot exercise intolerance. Those with any dyspnoea and/or reduced exercise tolerance will be invited to participate, except those with established heart failure and COPD. Study parameters/outcome of the study: Prevalence of latent heart failure and COPD. Difference in prevalence of latent heart failure and COPD between both groups. Differences in functionality and quality of life after 6 months between both groups. Cost-effectiveness and experienced patient burden of the diagnostic triage strategy.