Characterisation of COPD Exacerbations study (COPE).

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The investigation of inflammatory and microbial subtypes during COPD exacerbations.

• IRAS ID

  350460

• Contact name

  Dave Singh

• Contact email

  Dave.Singh@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Manchester

• ISRCTN Number

  ISRCTN00000000

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 10 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition characterised by chronic respiratory symptoms due to abnormalities of the airways and/or alveoli that cause persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction. The course of the disease is often punctuated by periods of acute symptom worsening, termed exacerbations. Exacerbations are a common problem of COPD and and often requires the use of antibiotics, prednisolone (steroid tablets), changes in medication or possibly hospital admission.

  Several subgroups of COPD are now known to exist both when the patient is stable (not suffering an exacerbation) or during an exacerbation. The aim of this study is to further improve our understanding of COPD and the different subgroups that exist during an exacerbation; for example eosinophilic inflammation, viral and bacterial dominant exacerbation subtypes have been reported.

  In this study we will investigate the stability of these subgroups of COPD and the biological markers associated with these subgroups. To achieved this a number of assessments will be performed alongside patients clinical care of up to 200 COPD patients. Samples will be collected from the patient where clinically indicated for the patients care during an exacerbation at their place of care, including blood sampling and spontaneous sputum collection. Questionnaires may also be administrated.

  This research will enhance our understanding of inflammation in subtypes of COPD exacerbations, with the potential to identify novel therapeutic targets.

• REC name

  North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/NW/0146

• Date of REC Opinion

  20 May 2025

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion