Solar Lighting to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution in Rural Uganda
Pollution; ExposureHypertension1 moreThis study evaluates the impact of a solar lighting system on kerosene lamp use, levels of indoor air pollution, and health in women living in rural Uganda. Half of the participants will receive the lighting systems immediately, while the other half will receive them after an 18 month delay.
(Re)Vitalizing Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients With Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Chronic Respiratory Disease3R aims to increase the access of patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in Portugal. The main goals of 3R are: i) design and implement an innovative community-based PR programme; ii) assess the cost-benefit of the community-based PR programme; iii) disseminate and perform knowledge transfer about PR across the country. PR is an evidence-based intervention for the management of CRD and offering PR has been defined as a priority by national/international organizations. However, in Portugal PR is practically inexistent (<1% of "candidate" patients have access). Currently, PR programmes are hospital-based and directed to patients with advanced disease. One of the recommendations to enhance the implementation of PR is the development on novel models of programme delivery. It is hypothesised that community-based programs, direct to patients at all grades of the disease, and involving all stakeholders (health professionals, patients, society, policy makers) may turn PR more accessible. The plan is to implement community-based PR programs in 4 primary care centres of 2 ACES of the centre region of Portugal and assess the impact of such intervention in several domains using surrogate and patient-/family-centered outcomes. A cost-benefit analysis will be performed on acute exacerbations and healthcare utilization. Dissemination will include one conference, activities with the community, courses and an online PR toolkit. Four schools of 2 polytechnics, 2 city councils, the Health Regional Administration-Centre (ARS-Centro) and all respiratory professional and civic national associations are partners.
Inspiratory Muscle Activation Pattern Analysis in Assisting Precision in Inspiratory Muscle Training...
Chronic Respiratory DiseaseInspiratory Muscle Training2 moreBackground & Objective: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is known to improve strength and endurance of inspiratory muscles. However, clinical beneficial effects of IMT for patients with chronic respiratory disease remain inconclusive. The purposes of the study are to investigate in patients with chronic respiratory disease: (Year 1) main (diaphragm) and accessory inspiratory muscle (sternocleidomastoid muscle) activation pattern during various IMT loading using group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM); and (Year 2) effectiveness of individualized IMT program (based on results of Year 1) on clinical outcomes. Methods: (Year 1) Patients with chronic respiratory disease with inspiratory muscle weakness will be recruited for the study. Patients will perform 3 inspiratory loading tests (15%, 30%, and 50% of maximum inspiratory pressures) on 3 separate days with the sequence will be randomized. Surface electromyography (EMG) of diaphragm and sternocleidomastoid muscle will be used to use inspiratory muscle activation during various conditions. Other outcomes include maximum inspiratory pressure, and functional exercise capacity will be measured. Inspiratory muscle activation will be used for GBTM analysis. Patient will then be trained with individualized IMT program based on the GBTM analysis input form results of Year 1.
Effects in Oxygenation and Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in ARDS Secondary to SARS-CoV2
Hypoxic Pulmonary VasoconstrictionHypoxemia2 moreSummary Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has overtaken health systems worldwide, exceeding the capacity of intensive care units. In addition to this, countries such as the United States have reported a decrease in the supplies of drugs such as Propofol and Midazolam (traditionally used as sedatives in patients with invasive mechanical ventilation), so in the absence until now of a specific treatment against SARS-COV-2 virus, improving the support strategies in patients in the severe spectrum of the disease Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a priority. Given the global state of emergency due to COVID-19, the use of sevoflurane has the potential to mitigate the shortages of sedative drugs, promote the recovery of patients with ARDS, and potentially reduce mortality. A study will be conducted to evaluate the effect of sevoflurane as inhalation sedation in patients with ARDS secondary to SARS-COV2 compared to the standard. The primary objective of the study is to assess the difference in oxygenation, for which the calculation of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fractional inspired oxygen concentration ratio (PaO2 / FiO2) will be used at 24 and 48 hours. Also, the effect of the possible attenuation or inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction will be evaluated by hemodynamic monitoring with a pulmonary artery catheter and transthoracic echocardiography and its possible effect on the right ventricle. Outcome: we expect an improvement in oxygenation and consequently a reduction in the days of invasive mechanical ventilation, stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital. In addition to evaluating its possible anti-inflammatory effect and probably establishing a safe and effective alternative and possibly with greater benefits compared to standard intravenous sedation.
Inspiratory Muscle Training and Low Back Pain
Inspiratory Muscle TrainingLow Back Pain1 moreProprioceptive weighting changes may explain differences in postural control performance. In addition, the respiratory movement has a disturbing effect on postural balance. Postural balance seems to be impaired in individuals with respiratory disorders. Besides the essential role of respiration, the diaphragm may also play an important role in the control of the trunk and postural balance. Deficits in proprioception are found in a subgroup of patients with low back pain. In addition, disorders of respiration have been identified as strongly related to low back pain. The aim of the study is to clarify whether inspiratory muscle training has a positive effect on proprioceptive postural control in individuals with recurrent low back pain.
Efficacy of Nasal Naphazoline Hydrocloride + Pheniramine Maleate + Panthenol Compared With Naphazoline...
FluCold1 moreThe common cold is a major cause of nasal obstruction and reaches children and adults two or more times a year. At the moment, there is no cure for the common cold, and therefore the reduction of symptoms is the focus of the treatment. The study has parallel distribution design, with two equal groups, in which one group will be treated by a combination of naphazoline hydrocloride + pheniramine maleate + panthenol and the other will receive treatment with naphazoline hydrocloride.
Extended Steroid in Use in Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)(e)
Community Acquired Respiratory Disease SyndromeThe goal of the study is to determine whether providing early treatment with a glucocorticoid drug, called methylprednisolone, will improve survival in critically ill patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Pneumonia develops when bacteria and other agents invade the lungs. The body's immune system creates a response to produce inflammation to kill the bacteria. A moderate amount of inflammation is beneficial. But, in patients sick enough to be admitted to the ICU, inflammation is frequently out of control. When the body cannot regulate inflammation vital organs (brain, heart, lung, kidney, liver) may be damaged, contributing to death or residual organ damage for those who survive. Glucocorticoids help reduce inflammation. Recent studies have shown that when the body is unable to produce sufficient amounts of glucocorticoids, inflammation can get out of control. Under these circumstances, glucocorticoids given in small doses may help aid the body's ability to reduce inflammation and improve recovery. In a small preliminary trial, glucocorticoid treatment, in addition to standard antibiotic treatment, sped up recovery from pneumonia. It also decreased the length of hospital stay, and increased survival. This Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) study will be the first large-scale, prospective, randomized clinical trial evaluating whether or not this treatment improves recovery. In this study, at each site, patients with severe CAP will be assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group will receive methylprednisolone and the other will receive a placebo (an inert substance that will look like the drug). The investigators have chosen a total duration of treatment of 20 days (7 days full dose followed by slow reduction over 13 days) to prevent relapse of inflammation and allow the body to recover its own ability to produce glucocorticoid. All patients will also receive standardized management of CAP in accordance with current practice guidelines. The study will take into consideration when assigning the treatment each participating site, and whether or not the patient requires mechanical ventilation at the time of assignment. Patients will be followed clinically for 180 days. The primary outcome is all cause 60-day mortality. Secondary outcomes are (1) in-hospital morbidity-mortality, including ventilator-free days, multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS)-free days, duration of ICU and hospital stay, and hospital discharge; and (2) posthospital discharge morbidity-mortality, including cardiovascular complications, functional and general health status in the first 180 days, rehospitalization, and mortality at 1 year. Serial blood samples will also be collected and stored for future translational research relating longitudinal inflammation markers to clinical outcomes. This study will advance knowledge on the relationship between inflammation and long-term outcome in severe CAP.
Effectiveness of Sedation Management in an Australian Intensive Care Unit
Respiration DisordersSedation is an important treatment when caring for the critically ill patient on a respirator. Adequate sedation has been found to reduce stress, promote relaxation, induce amnesia, improve the tolerance of the respirator, and generally assist nursing care. However all sedation produces side effects for the patients. The aim of this study is to measure the effectiveness of two approaches to sedation management in an Australian Intensive Care unit.
A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of YMC026 in Respiratory Disease Patients
Respiratory DiseaseThis is a phase 4, randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of YMC026 in respiratory disease patients with cough and sputum as the main symptoms
Yorkshire Enhanced Stop Smoking Study
CancerLung2 moreLung cancer rates are higher in Yorkshire than the rest of the UK, and this is due to higher rates of smoking. Deaths from lung cancer can be reduced using regular lung scans (screening) and by helping people stop smoking. As well as detecting cancers, scans can also show evidence of damage to lungs (emphysema) and heart arteries (calcification). This study will test whether people can be encouraged to quit smoking by giving them pictures from their own scans showing possible lung and heart damage, along with information about how stopping smoking reduces their risk of cancer and heart attacks.