Hyperpolarised gas MRI and lung health in cystic fibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Hyperpolarised gas MRI and lung health in cystic fibrosis
IRAS ID
245275
Contact name
Martin Wildman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes significant lung damage and reduction in life expectancy. Inhaled antibiotics are effective, but represent a significant treatment burden to patients and adherence is often poor, i.e. many patients do not always take their treatments at the times and dosages recommended by their doctor. This can result in poorer clinical outcomes for patients, including distressing unscheduled hospitalisations. These hospitalisations are also a significant cost to the NHS.
Accurate measures of lung health are required to monitor a CF patient’s response to treatment. Hyperpolarised gas Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HP MRI) is an imaging technique where the subject breathes in a harmless gas (Xenon) which acts as a contrast agent, enabling detailed structural and functional measurements of the lungs. HP MRI has been shown to be a promising method of measuring lung health and can be more sensitive than spirometry (a breathing test) which is the current gold standard.
The aim of this exploratory study is to ascertain if changes in lung function assessed by MRI imaging and conventional lung function measurements correlate with changes in adherence to medication in patients with CF. We also aim to establish if home spirometry is an accurate measure of lung function when compared to clinic spirometry. For this reason patients will be provided with spirometry testing kits that can be used at home.
This is a single-site study which will involve patients at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) Adult CF Centre. Patients will participate in the study for 12 months, and will undergo MR imaging, lung function measurements and questionnaires. In addition, patient data collected in the course of routine clinical care will also be analysed.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0855
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion