What next?
What next?
About this study
Progression of disease for people with fibrotic lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, is often unpredictable. Lung function test are part of standard care, and used to see how the disease is progressing over time. This doesn't always give a reliable picture of how things really are, as there can be difficulties when doing the tests.
High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans are used for diagnosis. Results are reported by trained radiologists, which can be limited by how each person interprets what they can see. A quantitative CT approach uses computer technology to analyse the HRCT results.
This study wants to understand if the new computer technology can predict and identify disease progression in fibrotic-ILD.
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?
You will be asked to take part at one of 3 centres in England, along with healthy control participants. You will have tests at the start of the study, 6-months and 12-months. This will include: HRCT, lung function tests, blood tests and questionnaires to measure health-related quality of life.
Summary of involvement
Investigations at the start of the study, 6- and 12-months
HRCT scans
Lung function tests
Blood tests
Questionnaires to measure health-related quality of life
Can I take part?
You may be able to take part if you have a diagnosis of IPF or non-IPF fibrotic-ILD, are aged 18 years and over, and meet the full inclusion criteria.
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.
Diagnosis of IPF or non-IPF fibrotic ILD
Aged 18 years and over
No previous antifibrotic therapy at the start of the study
Any other significant respiratory disease
Evidence of ILD exacerbation at the time of the CT
Additional criteria for lung function which will be discussed by the research team
What difference could taking part make?
Taking part in this initial feasibility study will help researchers to understand if using quantitative CT computer analysis can provide clinical benefit for disease monitoring. The results from this study will help to inform a subsequent larger multi-centre investigation.
Where does the study take place?
Study locations
Exeter
Bristol
Bath
How to take part
Please speak to your healthcare team about taking part in the study and contact the researchers for more information.
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.
This 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