Working in respiratory research: COMFORT IPF study

Staff at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust are recruiting people to take part in the COMFORT IPF study into the effects of a new drug to reduce chronic cough in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing is difficult. 

Commercial Research Team Leader Jo Hand explains what living with IPF is like, and what motivates her to work in respiratory research, commonly known as chronic cough. 

Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers and sign up to be contacted about studies at Be Part of Research.

What is this research study about? 

Patients with a life-limiting diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis often have chronic cough. This study offers a chance to trial the efficacy of a new drug called orvepitant to help control this persistent cough and improve their quality of life.

What does taking part involve? 

Participants are randomised between either taking the drug or a placebo in a blinded trial. They need to complete quality-of-life questionnaires, blood tests and lung function tests. Participants are also asked to wear a cough monitor, attached to their clothes for 24 hours, which will record the number of times a person coughs. 

What motivates you to work in research?

Working in research offers the opportunity to give patients more treatment options. In this instance, IPF is a life-limiting condition and to offer a new treatment that could potentially alleviate a troublesome symptom and improve their quality of life is exciting.

What would you say to people about considering whether to take part in research? 

Taking part in research is exciting but it involves a level of commitment from the participant to work with the research team. You need to be organised to complete questionnaires and attend your appointments at the required time points as clinical trials are an evidence-based method of improving patient care in the future. In the end, great relationships are made between researchers and study volunteers.

Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers and sign up to be contacted about studies at Be Part of Research.