Research Trials

A huge THANK YOU to all those of you who have taken part in research projects over the years. Several new medicines for cystic fibrosis have been trialled within the Unit recently.

Mannitol (a dry powder inhaler) has been shown to help loosen sputum and the study result showed a 7% increase in lung function (FEV₁).

Colobreathe is the dry powder inhaler version of Colomycin. The study was designed to show that this version of the drug is as effective as the nebulised form. Similarly ‘TIP' compared nebulised TOBI with a dry powder inhaled version of tobramycin (TIP). I will let you know when the results are published.

Research studies we are currently recruiting patients for include ;

Employment in adults with cystic fibrosis

Heartlands CF Centre will soon be getting involved in a joint research project with the University of Aberdeen. We are aiming to explore the factors which influence employment for adults with CF. It is being undertaken by Dr Katherine Targett, a Specialist Registrar in Occupational Medicine from the University of Aberdeen in conjunction with Dr Honeybourne. We expect that she will be attending our clinics, by early autumn, when she will be asking patients to complete a questionnaire about their employment experience.

Inhaled Heparin - designed to see whether this decreases inflammation in the lungs.

An inhaled drug called Ipratropium - to see whether this improves lung function.

Oral supplements of a substance called Glutamine - again to see whether this reduces inflammation.

A questionnaire about usage of health facilities (called Health State Utilities) for cystic fibrosis.

Coming soon we are hoping to take part in a study looking at possible benefits of inhaled Ciprofloxacin."

Also,

Rifat Rashid (our CF research fellow with the unmistakably Glaswegian accent!) is carrying out two projects currently. First of all she is collecting sputum samples and doing some laboratory work to see if it is possible to detect different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkholderia cepacia using a technique that takes hours, rather than culture which takes several days. The second project looks at the function of the autonomic nervous system (control blood pressure, heart rate, gut activity etc.). These nerves may be damaged in cystic fibrosis and also in those of you with diabetes. The tests involve having your heart rate and blood pressure measured while you perform some breathing manoeuvres.

if you are interested in taking part and helping us to help you please get in touch with Elaine Chapman (tel no: 0121 424 2261) or Fran Lloyd (tel no: 0121 424 1633).