Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects around 8% of the UK adult population and is the cause of considerable illness and death. It is usually a progressive condition originating with airway inflammation caused mainly by smoking from early adulthood and leading to airflow limitation. Even if smoking is stopped COPD may still progress and there is currently no pharmacological therapy that can reliably slow disease progress in COPD.
For this study researchers from NHS Lothian are looking for people to take part in a research study which aims to detect younger smokers who may be at an increased risk of losing lung function. This research will help to understand the inflammatory basis of this lung function loss.
The researchers are looking for volunteers who are current smokers and are aged 30-45 (not had their 46th birthday yet). The study design involves two visits in the initial instance which include a variety of assessments including lung function tests and questionnaires. During the next 3 years there will be follow-up visits every 6 months.
Benefits of taking part in this study are that you will get a chest CT and any abnormalities will be communicated to your GP. You may also benefit from being closely monitored by an expert team in the field of COPD as well as having access to stop smoking support. Travel expenses will also be reimbursed.
If you would like to hear more about this study, please email [email protected] or call 01382 383235/383431.
To check your eligibility for this study please complete the short questionnaire below. If you wish to take part, please ensure that you register with SHARE on completion (even if you have already done so in the past) so that we can contact you.
