Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a chronic state of airway obstruction in the lungs. COPD is associated with a number of respiratory disorders, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In some cases, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease occurs with asthma.

Chronic obstruction disease causes lung damage as the disease progresses. Without treatment, the lungs' capacity to move air deteriorates. COPD is a serious disease: it is listed as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The vast majority of COPD cases are linked to long-term smoking.

Researching Better COPD Treatments

Questions about the efficiency and value of COPD treatments can only be answered through clinical trials and research. For instance, the medical community has long been divided on the use of inhaled steroids to treat chronic obstruction disease.

A study of eight different clinical trials encompassing over 4,000 COPD sufferers revealed that inhaled steroids could indeed slow the rate of COPD lung deterioration, especially when administered in high doses. COPD research and clinical trials hope to take this promising discovery further. Further research and clinical trials will determine the most effective inhaled steroid doses for COPD treatments.

Why Participate in a COPD Clinical Trial?

One of the most obvious motives for participating in a COPD clinical trial is access to new treatments. Of course, the chance always exists that you'll be part of the control group, but either way, the advice you'll receive from experts can be invaluable. This site provides access to a number of trials. Registration does not oblige you to proceed, but it will enable you to find out about the options.