Craigavon

Researchers are evaluating ziltivekimab as a treatment for people living with heart failure and inflammation. This Phase 3 study compares ziltivekimab to a placebo in participants with heart failure who have mild to preserved ejection fraction and systemic inflammation. The study aims to assess the effect of ziltivekimab on cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, or urgent heart failure visits over a period of up to 4 years. Participants will receive monthly injections of either ziltivekimab or a placebo using a pre-filled syringe or a pen-injector. The study medication is administered subcutaneously once a month for up to 4 years. The trial includes up to 20 clinic visits during which participants will be monitored and assessed. During the study, participants will use a study app on their phone to record all injections and complete questionnaires. Researchers will monitor participants for key outcomes like cardiovascular events and heart failure episodes from the time of randomization until the end of the study. Safety and health status will be regularly evaluated throughout the study period, which may last up to 48 months.

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are common reasons for hospital admission and use of antibiotics, caused by various pathogens including viruses like influenza and coronaviruses. This research aims to describe how adults with ARI are diagnosed and treated in emergency rooms and acute hospital settings across Europe, focusing on understanding the different routine practices and clinical outcomes. The study also seeks to identify the causes of ARI in these patients to aid in improving care and targeting treatments better. The study involves collecting data on diagnostic methods and treatments used for ARI from adults presenting to emergency departments or acute medical units. This includes patients admitted to the hospital as well as those discharged the same day. Some participants will provide a research sample from the upper respiratory tract within 24 hours of enrollment to detect pathogens using molecular tests. Data collection will detail clinical information, laboratory results, and medication use to understand variations across hospitals. Participants will be monitored for up to four years, with measures including the proportion undergoing relevant microbiology and virology tests, use of antibiotics and other medications, hospital and ICU length of stay, duration of respiratory support, and mortality. Clinical outcomes will be recorded up to 28 days after admission or until discharge or death. This long-term observational study aims to support better diagnosis and treatment strategies to reduce antimicrobial resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease that causes scarring, leading to coughing and breathlessness. Many people with IPF also have reflux disease, where stomach acid may enter the lungs and cause damage. This research is evaluating whether using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), medicines that reduce stomach acid like lansoprazole, can slow the progression of IPF. The study is a phase 3 clinical trial involving 298 IPF patients from about 37 UK hospitals to determine if treating with PPIs affects IPF outcomes and cough, reflux, and sleep symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to take either lansoprazole 30 mg capsules or matching placebo capsules twice daily, about 12 hours apart, for 12 months. They will be asked to start weekly home breathing tests using equipment provided, and some with a cough will use a device to count coughs over 24 hours. Questionnaires on cough, breathlessness, sleep, and general health will be completed. A sub-study involves additional cough and sleep monitoring sessions. Participants may reduce the dose if side effects occur. Throughout the study, participants will complete home spirometry assessments weekly, provide blood samples for safety checks at set intervals, and answer questionnaires at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Visits may be remote or in person. Researchers will monitor medication adherence, medical history changes, and side effects. The main outcome measured is the change in lung function, specifically forced vital capacity, 12 months after randomization. Additional blood samples may be collected for future research with consent.