Study of Hospitalised Patients With Acute Respiratory Conditions
This study is gathering information on people admitted to hospital with a sudden, serious breathing condition, like a bad chest infection (pneumonia) or a flare-up of asthma or COPD. We want to understand what happens to them both shortly after leaving hospital and over a longer period. This includes looking at what helps people recover, why some might need to return to hospital, and how long they stay. We're also studying people with long-term breathing conditions that attend hospital clinics, and healthy volunteers, to compare findings. The goal is to better understand who might be at higher risk of problems and how we might help them.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is looking into what happens to people who are admitted to hospital because of a sudden, serious breathing problem. This could be a severe chest infection like pneumonia, or a flare-up of a long-term lung condition such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). We want to understand how people recover, in both the short-term (in the first month after leaving hospital) and over a longer time (up to three years).
The main aim is to discover what factors might help or hinder recovery. For example, we want to see what might affect how long someone stays in hospital, whether they need to come back to hospital soon after being discharged, or how well they manage their health in the long run. We're also looking at whether certain measurements taken in hospital could help doctors identify people who might need extra support to prevent future problems.
To get a full picture, the study also includes people who have long-term breathing conditions but are managed in hospital outpatient clinics, as well as a group of healthy volunteers without lung conditions. By comparing these groups, we hope to gain valuable insights that could lead to better care and support for everyone with respiratory conditions in the future.
Key takeaways
- The study aims to understand recovery after serious breathing problems.
- It includes hospitalised patients, outpatients with lung disease, and healthy people.
- Participation involves assessments like questionnaires, breathing tests, and blood samples.
- The study tracks participants for up to three years.
- You can stop participating at any time without affecting your medical care.
- Findings could improve future care for people with breathing conditions.
Who may be eligible?
You might be able to join this study if you are an adult aged 18 or over.
For the main part of the study, you would need to be either currently in hospital with a new, serious breathing problem, or already attending hospital clinics for a long-term lung condition. You should also be able to understand the study and agree to take part.
We also need healthy volunteers for comparison. If you're an adult aged 18 or over with no known lung disease, you might be eligible for this group. You wouldn't be able to join if you've been in hospital for a breathing problem in the last six weeks. For anyone, if you have a serious heart condition that isn't stable, another major illness that might affect the study, or if you are pregnant, you wouldn't be able to take part.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Are you currently in hospital with a serious breathing problem, or do you attend a hospital clinic for a long-term lung condition?
- Or, are you generally healthy with no known lung disease (for the comparison group)?
- Are you able to provide consent and understand what's involved?
- Are you not currently pregnant?
- Have you *not* had heart problems like a recent heart attack?
What does participation involve?
If you join the study, you'll have several appointments. You might be asked to fill in questionnaires, have your physical fitness and muscle strength checked, or do some lung function tests (breathing into a machine). We might also ask you to wear a device to monitor your physical activity, and collect some biological samples like blood or saliva. Some people might also have extra tests such as body scans or more detailed muscle measurements.
If you join while in hospital, you might have an assessment before you go home or soon after, and then up to three more visits in the first year to check your recovery. If you join through an outpatient clinic, you'll have yearly check-ups. The study will follow you for up to three years in total. These follow-up visits can be in person, over the phone, or sometimes alongside your usual clinic appointments. You are free to stop coming to study visits at any time without it affecting your usual medical care.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Glenfield HospitalVerified postcodeLeicester, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is an 'acute respiratory condition'?
It means a sudden, serious problem with your breathing or lungs, like a bad chest infection or a severe asthma attack.
What kind of tests will I have?
You might fill in questionnaires, do breathing tests, have your strength checked, and provide blood samples. Some will have extra tests like body scans.
How long will I be involved in the study?
You will be followed for up to three years, with different options for how often you have appointments, depending on your situation.
Will taking part affect my usual medical care?
No, your decision to take part or leave the study will not affect the medical care you receive from your doctors.
Who is running this study?
This study is being run by researchers at a hospital, looking into breathing conditions.
How to find out more
Jill Clanchy
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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