Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases"

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of diaphragm mobility on exercise capacity and dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Non invasive ventilation (NIV) usually presents air leaks that may determine the result of this treatment. The clinical usefulness of analyzing (and quantifying) these leaks during the adaptation period to NIV has not been evaluated in prospective clinical studies as a predictive data of treatment effectiveness. Our hypothesis is that air leaks are correlated to a successful adaptation to NIV. And air leak magnitude may predict early failures of this treatment. And also, as we do not know if air leaks change during the adaptation period to NIV, we do not know whether early detection of air leaks plays a role in the therapeutic outcome. Our objective is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of quantifying air leaks during the adaptation period to NIV as a predictor of effectiveness of this treatment. We also want to evaluate the correlation between air leaks and clinical-functional patients' profile, and the ventilatory parameters selected and to evaluate air leaks variability during the adaptation period to NIV. Method: We will determine the air leak magnitude in twenty patients during adaptation to NIV. We will use VPAP III ventilators (ResMed, Australia), commercial nasal masks (Mirage o Ultra Mirage) and VPAP III/ResLinkTM (ResMed, North Ryde, Australia), a device that includes a monitoring system coupled with the VPAP III ventilator. This device allows to record air leaks and other ventilation parameters. We will perform four VPAP III/ResLinkTM recordings in each patient (the last night in hospital during the adaptation period, the first night at home, and one and two months later, after the initiation of NIV treatment). We will also perform a complete pulmonary function test, quality-of-life questionnaire (SF36), and a tolerance to NIV questionnaire in all patients at the onset of NIV treatment and two months later. We will evaluate which patients will need to change treatment at the end of the adaptation period to NIV. We also will analyze and compare air leaks magnitude in each of the four recordings stated above.

Spirometry is a useful clinical tool for the assessment and monitoring of lung disease, however, it does not provide information on peripheral airways resistance. On the contrary, impulse oscillometry (IOS) may provide information not only on airway resistance (Rrs) but also on the elastic properties of the lung (Xrs). In addition, multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) utilizes the exhalation of nitrogen gas from the airways to determine changes in lung ventilation and derive small airways indices (that tells us about small airways calibre). This method, like IOS, allows a precise assessment of small airways function. Even though patients with asthma may show some reduction of the caliber of the small airways these changes are more a feature of patients with COPD. The study team hypothesize that IOS and MBNW measurements may detect these differences and provide different resistance profiles for asthma and COPD. Furthermore, the study team would like to investigate the relationship between airway inflammation and small airway disease by measuring exhaled nitric oxide (NO) at multiple exhalation flow rates. This technique allows the partitioning of NO produced in the central airways from that generated more peripherally in the lung, providing valuable information on the activity of inflammation in different parts of the respiratory system. The study team hope that the combined use of IOS, MBNW and NO will identify a possible correlation between inflammation and small airway dysfunction.

The purpose of this trial is to verify if an osteopathic treatment added to usual pulmonary rehabilitation trial is able to improve the walking ability of COPD patients and if there is any influence on lung functionality.

Under daily routine conditions and without any intervention by the sponsor regarding the selection of subjects, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic decisions (medicinal and non- medicinal therapy, dose, duration, etc.), routine assessments, the participating physicians (i.e.general practitioners and internists) are asked to document relevant data related to the budesonide/formoterole therapy in patients with COPD.

This observational non-interventional study is designed to demonstrate the improvement of physical function in COPD patients with exercise-induced dyspnoea on treatment with Spiriva (tiotropium 18 µg capsules) and allows adverse events to be recorded and evaluated.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are suggested to play a pivotal role in ILD. Little is known, however, about the endogenous antioxidant levels in ILD that can offer protection against ROS. It is expected that the high amount of ROS present in ILD will reduce the antioxidant levels. Therefore, antioxidant therapy to strengthen this reduced antioxidant defense might be efficacious in ILD treatment. Since ROS are capable of initiating and mediating inflammation, antioxidant therapy might also mitigate elevated inflammation. A candidate for antioxidant therapy is the flavonoid quercetin that is known for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities. The aim of the present study is to determine the antioxidant and inflammatory status in ILD, i.e. sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Furthermore, to evaluate the possible anti-inflammatory effects of antioxidants, the effect of quercetin will be examined on the ex vivo LPS-induced cytokine production in ILD

The purpose of this study is to obtain biologic materials from the blood and lungs of normal individuals to establish a set of normal range for various parameters. These will provide important information when applied to individuals with various pulmonary diseases, and will help in understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of various lung diseases.

The goal of this study is to identify the modifying genes and environmental features that regulate the clinical expression of mutations in bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2); to develop the understanding of how BMPR2 mutations result in disease; and to identify the undiscovered genetic mutations that cause primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH).

To study the genetic basis of obstructive sleep apnea using a genealogical approach.