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Contact Information:

Dr Nayia Petousi
+44 1865 857086
nayia.petousi@ndm.ox.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a novel technique for assessing lung unevenness (inhomogeneity)
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Early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a novel technique for assessing lung unevenness (inhomogeneity)

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Oxford Oxford

Medical Conditions

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects 400 million people and is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide. Patients suffer symptoms (cough/wheeze/breathlessness) that limit their quality of life. Approximately 70% of cases are caused by cigarette smoking. One reason for the poor outcomes is late diagnosis. The current tool used to diagnose COPD is a breathing test called spirometry. Results on spirometry only become abnormal when significant damage has already occurred and it cannot detect early or subtle changes in the small airways of the lung, which is where COPD starts.

Our research group at the University of Oxford has developed a new type of analyser that very accurately measures the flow of different gases breathed into and out of the lungs. We have also developed a mathematical approach to analysing these data that identifies unevenness (heterogeneity) in the lung and provides multiple new sensitive measures of lung function. In preliminary studies on small groups of people, we found that one of these measurements of heterogeneity show great promise as a sensitive marker of early problems in the small airways.

In this project, we want to understand more about the new measurements in people at increased risk for developing COPD, for example chronic smokers, and investigate whether our new test can be useful in detecting changes in lung function, earlier than is currently possible by the available breathing tests. To achieve this we will compare measurements of lung heterogeneity using our new test obtained in smokers (who have normal spirometry) and no diagnosis of airways disease with those obtained in non-smokers of the same age. Another aim is to compare our measures of lung heterogeneity with other lung function tests and to investigate their association with other disease markers (for example symptoms and airway inflammation).

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

22 Jan 2024 31 Dec 2027

The study involves a series of assessments of lung function, and a blood test. The lung heterogeneity measures are made using a 12-minute test during which the patient breathes normally through a mouthpiece, with their nose occluded by a nose clip. Each patient will breathe normal air for the first 7 min and then 100% oxygen for the final 5 min.

The other breathing tests that participants will be asked to perform are standard lung function tests such as forced spirometry, oscillometry and exhaled nitric oxide measurement. Participants will complete two questionnaires to allow us to assess their day-to-day lung health.


People between the ages of 25-60 years without a current diagnosis of respiratory disease can participate in the study. Both chronic smokers and non-smokers can participate.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Current diagnosis of respiratory disease2. Pregnancy3. Significant cardiovascular disease e.g. heart failure


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    John Radcliffe Hospital Headley Way Headington
    Oxford
    OX3 9DU
  • University of Oxford
    Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics Sherrington Building, Sherrington Road
    Oxford
    OX1 3PT

We do not expect participants in this research to benefit directly from their participation, but we hope that the results of the study will benefit patients in the future. We do not expect the gas mixtures breathed during this study to have any adverse health effects, and most patients studied with this technique so far have found the tests relatively easy to perform.

Dr Nayia Petousi
+44 1865 857086
nayia.petousi@ndm.ox.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by University of Oxford and funded by Asthma and Lung UK.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN46851791
Last updated 18 January 2024

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