Airways disease

Globally 400 million people live with either chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or Asthma. Together they are the number 1 cause of chronic respiratory ill health and mortality. Critically both of these respiratory diseases have complex, poorly understood aetiology and co-morbidities. Our focus, both clinically and in research, is on Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), both of which can cause shortness of breath. We specialise in assessing and managing patients with airways disease that may need tests or interventions unavailable in the community or at other hospitals. Our research focuses on therapies to improve patient outcomes, whether that be through drugs, devices or psychology. We are also looking at the relationship between lung health and other long term conditions (co-morbidities).

When inhaling, air passes down the wind pipe (trachea) which divides into progressively smaller and smaller airways until the reaching small sacs (alveoli) where the gases in the air e.g. oxygen can pass through into the blood. When exhaling this process happens in reverse. Many conditions can affect the airways making it harder for air to pass through them.

We draw on expertise within the University of Bristol from the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Department of Engineering Mathematics, the School of Psychology and Neuroscience and ALSPAC/ Children of the 90s. We work within Bristol NHS Foundation Trust to embed research directly into front-line NHS services to ensure rapid translation into practice.

Public and Agency Partners facilitate community reach, data at scale, and national adoption: Born in Bradford, Health Innovation West of England, South West Secure Data Environment and the Respiratory Transformation Partnership (developed by the Health Innovation Network, NHS England and the Office for Life Sciences, with industry partners). External Academic Partners include NIHR Biomedical Research Centres at Southampton, Manchester, Leicester, Cambridge, Imperial College London & Oxford. Industry Partners span the pharmaceutical, digital health, and wearable device sectors.