Role of fungal exposure in COPD and CPA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of the contribution of fungal exposure to the severity of symptoms in chronic obstructive lung disease and to the development of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a questionnaire study
IRAS ID
253483
Contact name
Chris Kosmidis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a slowly progressive debilitating condition affecting mainly patients with chronic lung disease like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or previous tuberculosis. Unless recognised and treated, it can lead to deterioration of lung function and poor quality of life. It is estimated that there are more than 3 million people with CPA globally. Why some patients with COPD develop CPA whereas most do not is not known. Use of steroids has been implicated, but this cannot be confirmed for most patients. It is possible that genetic factors play a role.
Aspergillus is a common environmental mould, which exists in higher concentrations in damp or dusty environments, such as decaying vegetation, compost, or as visible mould indoors. Also, some occupations may lead to more exposure to aspergillus than others. Therefore it is possible that particular high-risk exposures may predispose to CPA in patients with COPD. This has not been investigated before.
We propose to check for a potential association between indoor and/or outdoor fungal exposure and development of CPA. To answer this question, we will document fungal exposure via a questionnaire in two groups of patients: patients with COPD and CPA seen in the CPA clinic of the National Aspergillosis Centre, and patients with COPD without CPA seen in the COPD clinic at Wythenshawe Hospital. Data to be collected from both groups will include: age, sex, most recent lung function testing, number of exacerbations, antibiotics courses, GP visits and admissions related to their lung disease in the last year. The prevalence of various types of fungal exposure will be compared in the two groups to determine if a particular exposure is more common in patients with CPA. We will also try to establish if fungal exposure is linked to a higher number of exacerbations or antibiotic use.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0103
Date of REC Opinion
14 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion