New £2m research project on lung condition begins

People suffering from the lung condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are being asked to take part in a £2m research project aimed at reducing scarring of the lungs.

IPF is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult, there is currently nothing that can reduce or stop that scarring.

The University of East Anglia has secured funding to look into possible treatments.

Professor Andrew Wilson from the university’s medical school, said “It’s not clear what causes IPF, but we think that acid refluxing from the stomach to the lungs may be involved.   Symptoms can include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, tiredness, a loss of appetite and weight loss, and rounded and swollen fingertips.

“These symptoms tend to develop gradually and get slowly worse over time.”

The trial will investigate the impact of taking lansoprazole among up to 300 patients aged over 40, who have been diagnosed with the condition.  Half the patients will be given the drug, while the other half will be given a placebo twice a day for 12 months.

The team will use CT scans to assess whether the medication is helping to reduce lung scarring alongside home-based spirometry measurements.

Professor Wilson said “Not only will this venture tell whether lansoprazole improves the scarring detected on CT scans, but it will allow us to compare CT scan abnormalities to home-based lung function tests.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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