Teddington

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis IPF is a progressive lung disease causing scarring that leads to coughing and breathlessness. Many IPF patients also have reflux disease, where stomach acid can damage the lungs. This research aims to find out if treating IPF patients with proton pump inhibitors PPIs, which reduce stomach acid, can slow down the progression of IPF. The trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 298 IPF patients across about 37 UK hospitals. Participants will be randomly assigned to take either lansoprazole a PPI or dummy tablets twice daily for 12 months. They will start weekly breathing tests at home using equipment provided and, if they have a cough, use a device to count coughs over 24 hours. Participants will complete questionnaires about coughing, breathlessness, sleep habits, and overall health. Some will also wear activity and sleep monitors during cough monitoring sessions. Dose reduction is allowed if side effects occur. During the study, patients will complete regular questionnaires and provide blood samples for safety checks at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Weekly home spirometry will continue for the full year. Researchers will track lung function, cough frequency and severity, breathlessness, quality of life, sleep quality, reflux symptoms, and hospital-free survival. Remote and in-person visits are possible, and participants will receive training on study procedures. The primary outcome is the change in lung function 12 months after starting treatment.