SAFFRON
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The importance of small airway dysfunction (SAD) and its assessment in older patients with airflow obstruction
IRAS ID
253739
Contact name
Alice Turner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
The presence and severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)is determined by traditional lung function tests(spirometry)which require maximal forced expiratory manoeuvres that can be difficult to perform. There has been much debate about the validity of these tests, especially in older people, as the values and limits used to diagnose airflow obstruction differ and can cause overestimation due to undetected abnormalities in small airways.
This observational cohort study will use a number of validated tests to assess the presence and severity of small airways dysfunction (SAD)and determine if it is physiological or part of the normal aging process. The study will compare patients with COPD whose lung function is similar when using the variety of lung function equations that are available to diagnose COPD and those whose values differ depending on the equations used. A healthy control group, who do not have COPD but are of similar age, will also be studied.
The study aims to assess the use of physiological and radiological measurements relevant to SAD to detect those patients with clinically significant disease, as defined by symptoms.
All subjects will attend for screening, biological sample collection and CT scanning visits, which will all occur within 4 months of one another. No subsequent follow up is needed.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0084
Date of REC Opinion
29 May 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion