Wieliczka

Researchers are studying the effectiveness and safety of lebrikizumab in people aged 12 and older who have chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and are treated with intranasal corticosteroids. This Phase 3 trial compares different dosing schedules of lebrikizumab with a placebo to find out how well it reduces symptoms such as nasal congestion and polyp size over about 18 months. Participants receive lebrikizumab or placebo as subcutaneous injections while continuing their regular intranasal corticosteroid therapy. Adolescents aged 12 to under 18 weighing at least 40 kg will receive open-label lebrikizumab every 2 or 4 weeks. The study includes two experimental lebrikizumab groups with different dosing intervals and a placebo group, all alongside background intranasal corticosteroids. During the study, participants will have regular assessments including symptom severity scores, nasal polyp size measured by endoscopy, sinus imaging, lung function tests, and questionnaires about nasal symptoms and quality of life. Researchers will monitor changes from baseline to week 24 primarily for nasal congestion and polyp scores. Safety and long-term effects will also be observed throughout the study duration of about 18 months.

Researchers are investigating how a rehabilitation and treatment stay at the underground Health Resort of the Wieliczka Salt Mine affects elderly individuals aged 65 and older who have chronic respiratory diseases. This prospective, experimental study with a controlled crossover design aims to assess changes in functional capacity, respiratory parameters, and the flow properties of blood in these participants. The study involves a 3-week rehabilitation and therapeutic stay in the underground salt chambers, where participants receive daily 2.5-hour pulmonary rehabilitation sessions supervised by a doctor, physiotherapist, and nurse. Before the stay, participants undergo qualifying tests, including functional fitness and respiratory assessments, and blood rheology tests are performed at four time points three weeks before, immediately before, right after the stay, and three months after completion. Participants will be monitored through various tests such as respiratory muscle strength measurements, walking and gait speed tests, blood markers including interleukins and blood cell counts, and quality of life questionnaires. The study also includes assessments of chest mobility and blood inflammation markers. Follow-up evaluations will continue up to 18 months to observe longer-term effects of the rehabilitation program.