RecruitingObservational

Understanding how COPD flare-ups change the body's recovery process

This study is about understanding how severe flare-ups of a lung condition, called COPD, affect your body's ability to heal and fight off inflammation. When someone with COPD has a flare-up, it can lead to hospital stays and ongoing health issues, but we don't fully understand why this happens or why health often gets worse over time. Researchers hope to learn more about the body's recovery process after these flare-ups. This knowledge could help develop better treatments in the future. If you're an adult admitted to hospital for a COPD flare-up, you might be asked to take part.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Leicester

Enrolment target

100

Start

04 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

11 Jan 2027

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

What is this study about?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. Sometimes, people with COPD can have sudden worsenings of their symptoms, known as 'flare-ups' or 'exacerbations'. These flare-ups can be very serious and often lead to hospital stays. Even after leaving the hospital, many people don't fully get back to how they were before, and repeated flare-ups can cause their health to decline over time. This study wants to find out exactly how these flare-ups impact the body's natural healing process and its ability to deal with inflammation.

At the moment, we don't fully understand why some people struggle to recover after a COPD flare-up or why their health gradually gets worse with more flare-ups. This research aims to fill those knowledge gaps. By understanding the small changes happening in the body after a flare-up, scientists hope to discover new ways to help people recover better and prevent future health decline.

While participating won't directly benefit you, the information gathered from this study will be非常 valuable for helping doctors and researchers understand COPD better. This knowledge could eventually lead to new and more effective treatments for people with COPD in the future, improving the health and well-being of many.

Key takeaways

This study helps understand how COPD flare-ups affect recovery.
It aims to improve future treatments for COPD patients.
Participation is voluntary and involves providing samples, not new medicines.
Minimal risks, mainly related to blood tests.
Your medical care will not be affected if you choose not to participate or to withdraw.
Results will be shared to help the wider COPD community.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have been admitted to hospital because of a COPD flare-up. You need to be able to understand the study and agree to take part.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you won't be able to take part. Also, if you have other serious health problems like asthma, other lung diseases, or cancer, or if you need to be put on a breathing machine or go into intensive care, this study might not be suitable for you. You also need to be able to understand written and spoken English.

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?
Have you been admitted to hospital recently for a COPD flare-up?
Are you able to provide your consent (permission) to take part?
Are you currently not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do you not have other serious lung conditions like asthma or pneumonia (as decided by the doctor)?
Are you not in intensive care or on a breathing machine?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, which is entirely your choice, it won't involve taking any new medications. This is an 'observational' study, meaning researchers will simply observe and collect information.

You'll be asked to provide a sample of your phlegm (sputum) if you can. The researchers will also look at blood samples that were taken when you first came into the hospital. If you choose, you can also join a smaller part of the study where blood samples will be taken every day while you are in hospital, right up until you go home. About three months after you leave the hospital, you might also be invited back for one optional follow-up visit. The study is expected to run from March 2026 to November 2027.

Potential risks and benefits

You won't directly benefit from taking part in this study, but your contribution could help doctors and researchers understand COPD better, potentially leading to improved care for others with the condition in the future. The risks of taking part are very small, mostly related to giving blood samples. Remember, participating is completely voluntary, and you can change your mind and stop at any time without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Glenfield General Hospital
City only
Leicester, England

Common questions

What is a COPD flare-up?

A COPD flare-up is a sudden worsening of your breathing problems and other symptoms that can be serious enough to need hospital care.

Will I have to take new medicine?

No, this study doesn't involve any new medicines. It's an observational study, meaning researchers will be watching and learning.

What kind of samples will be collected?

You might be asked to give a phlegm sample, and researchers will also look at blood samples taken when you were admitted to hospital.

Can I stop participating anytime?

Yes, your participation is completely voluntary. You can choose to stop at any time, and it won't affect your medical care.

Who is running this study?

The study is being organised by the University of Leicester and funded by the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre.

How to find out more

Oluwadamilola Yinka-Adebisi

oya3@leicester.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.