A descriptive study of hypersensitivity pneumonitis patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A descriptive study of hypersensitivity pneumonitis among patients referred to a tertiary respiratory expert panel.
IRAS ID
208139
Contact name
Gareth Walters
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Heart of England NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), or also commonly known as ‘extrinsic allergic alveolitis’ (EAA), is a sub-group of several respiratory conditions, which constitute Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD).
HP is a complex condition and can prove to be a diagnostic challenge. A diagnosis of HP is based on a combination of clinical assessment, lung function testing, radiological, pathological and immunological investigations, in suspected cases with a history of exposure to an allergen.
Exposure in an occupational setting is well recognised and the list of causes of HP is extensive (eg mouldy hay in Farmer’s (“Farmer’s lung”), contaminated barley (“Malt Worker’s lung”), contaminated metal working fluids in car engine manufacturing workers). However, despite British Thoracic Society (BTS) recommendations, there are anecdotal reports that an exposure history is often inadequately obtained in the clinical work-up in suspected cases of HP.The aim of this study is to describe the demographic, clinical, exposure history and investigatory results of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) cases as diagnosed by a local expert interstitial lung disease (ILD) board, to determine the extent of occupational and non-occupational exposure among these documented HP patients.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1387
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion