What next?
What next?
About this study
Genetics can play a crucial role in the development and then progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD). This area of research is not fully understood and it is not known why some people who are exposed to pigeons, develop the disease, whilst others do not.
The British Pigeons Fancier genetics of ILD study aims to find out more about the role that genetics plays in disease development of people with ILD who are regularly exposed to pigeons. This exposure is a known cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is a form of ILD.
Pigeon fanciers use their knowledge of pigeon genetics to breed winning pigeons. Researchers will use their knowledge of human genetics to investigate why some pigeon fanciers get pigeon lung. They will then compare genetic differences between pigeon fanciers with and without pigeon lung, to understand more about the disease.
Researchers would like to recruit people with regular racing pigeon exposure at national and regional pigeon fancier meetings.
There are many different types of research. These studies might ask participants to test different treatments, devices, or complete questionnaires. Some studies may not require any involvement from people affected by PF, but instead look at cells in a lab environment, animal models, or utilise computer modelling.
A study involving people can be:
- Interventional – participants are given an active treatment decided by researchers. This could be a change in medication or lifestyle (e.g. exercise, diet, complementary wellbeing therapy, or symptom management). These are commonly known as clinical trials.
- Observational – participants are assessed for specific changes over time, but researchers do not alter their standard treatment or care (e.g. questionnaires to understand the impact of symptom, or patient registries that track trends in how disease affects people or the services that are provided).
There are 3 main phases of clinical trials:
- Phase 1 is the earliest stage of research, where there is often a focus on understanding if the treatment is safe or if it causes any side effects.
- Phase 2 still focuses on safety and side effects, but also tries to find out more about what is the best dose.
- Phase 3 often compares the new treatment to existing treatments or lookalike medications.
As drugs or interventions move into the different phases, the number of people taking part will increase. Not all studies will make it to the later phases, especially if the intervention is not found to be safe or effective in phase 1 and 2.
The recruitment aim is the number of people that researcher want to take part in the research study.
What is involved?
Researchers will request 30 minutes of your time to ask you questions about your general health and how long you have kept pigeons for. You will be asked to have a simple blood tests to find out more about how your genetics plays a role in the disease. They will look into if there are any potential causes or reasons why some people develop the disease, whilst others don't. Breathing tests will also be carried out.
Researchers will write to you over a 5 year timeframe to get any updates about any changes in your breathing.
Summary of involvement
Up to 5 years
Questionnaires
Blood Tests
Lung Function Tests
Can I take part?
You may be able to take part in the BPF GILD study if you have a diagnosis of ILD and had regular exposure to pigeons.
In research studies, there are lots of different reasons why you may or may not be able to take part. These are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria (see list below). Only the research team will be able to fully determine whether you are able to take part in the study. You can withdraw at any point.
If you are not able to take part in this research study, there may be other opportunities for you to take part in different studies.
To find out more about other research opportunities visit our research finder main page.
Aged 18 to 80 years
Any gender
Diagnosis of either:
ILD with fibrosis
Alveolitis
Bird's Fancier's Lung
Interstitial Pneumonias
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Regular exposure to racing pigeons
People who do not wish to take part
What difference could taking part make?
The study will provide useful insight to the role of genetics, which will be of use to clinicians and patients. Taking part will help researchers to discover why some people develop pigeon lung but others do not.
Taking part in research studies has the potential to not only help you to understand more about how your disease affects you, but it also has the potential to help other people affected by the disease both now and in the future.
Where does the study take place?
Study locations
Royal Pigeon Racing Association Meeting, Blackpool
Scottish Homing Union, Lanark
You may be able to take part of you live in other areas of the UK
How to take part
Please speak to you healthcare professionals team and contact the lead researcher, Mark Spears.
Further information
This page is a summary which provides information about an opportunity to participate in research. More detailed information about the study can be found via the following the links and through contacting the research team.
If you have any questions about this research study, please speak to your medical team.
mark.spears@nhs.scotThis study is supported by
APF does not endorse or recommend any specific study. All responsibility for the study remains with the sponsors and investigators.
Every effort is made to keep these details up to date. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, please email research@actionpf.org