Patients sought for Tauranga trials

Tauranga residents suffering from smoker's cough are being urged to take part in a worldwide study to test a potential new treatment for the condition.

People affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder – also known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema – are being sought by researchers at P3 Research Tauranga and Tauranga Hospital.

Tauranga Hospital respiratory expert Dr Neil Graham. Photo: Andrew Campbell.

The two have joined forces with colleagues worldwide to determine whether a potential new treatment can reduce the frequency of symptoms, keep participants out of hospital and help them cope with their day-to-day life.

Tauranga researchers are seeking patients aged 40 and over who have COPD and are taking regular medication for the condition.

They're also looking for patients whose COPD symptoms have worsened in the last 12 months and have required additional treatment or hospital admission.

Tauranga Hospital respiratory expert Dr Neil Grahamwelcomes the study and says he hopes New Zealand patients will take the opportunity to participate.

'There is no cure for COPD,” says Neil, 'which is why it is so important to keep researching new treatment options.

'We need treatments that can do an effective job in reducing symptoms, keep people out of hospital and improve their quality of life.”

Neil says participating in a research study can also be beneficial for the participants as they receive high quality medical monitoring and regular health checks at no cost.

'The patients could do some good for themselves while also helping progress NZ research into new medicines,” he adds.

COPD has a substantial impact on the health of New Zealanders. Although often undiagnosed, it affects an estimated 15 per cent of the adult population - at least 200,000 New Zealanders - who are over 45.

Participation in the study, which has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committees, is voluntary and information is kept strictly confidential.

The study to be conducted at various centres across New Zealand.

Neil says the most common causes of breathing tube malfunction is asthma and tobacco related lung disease, and a combination of vilanterol, umec, and flixotide will be used during the study.

'Using all three drugs together in one inhaler has never been done before in a big trial like this,” adds Neil.

'These drugs are widely used. Salbutamol and Ventolin have been around for about four decades and are generally recognised a safe.”

Researchers are expecting to enrol about 12 participants, with options to enrol more.

For more information, or to enrol, visit: gsk.co.nz/COPD or phone: 0800 827 840.

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