Randomised Controlled Trial of Atorvastatin in Bronchiectasis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Randomised Controlled Trial of Atorvastatin as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
IRAS ID
7998
Contact name
Adam T Hill
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lothian
Eudract number
2010-022040-20
Research summary
Statins are a class of drug used to prevent heart attacks and strokes by lowering blood cholesterol levels. They have also been found to have a beneficial "side effect" of lowering the level of inflammation in the body. This is thought to be one of the reasons they are effective in treating heart attacks and strokes. Laboratory experiments have shown that statins reduce lung inflammation in response to bacteria and this is a promising development for the treatment of chest infections. Bronchiectasis is a chronic disabling lung disease characterised by chronic sputum production and recurrent chest infections. 2/3 of patients are chronically Colonised with bacteria (normally the lungs are sterile) and this leads inflammation in the lung and rest of the body. There are no effective treatments for bronchiectasis other than antibiotics for chest infections. With increasing antibiotic use, there is increasing antibiotic resistance and new treatments for this disease are needed. We intend to study Atorvastatin in patients with bronchiectasis with colonization with organisms other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We will give Atorvastatin to 30 patients with this disease while 30 patients will receive placebo. We will measure inflammation in their lungs and in the rest of their body before and after treatment with atorvastatin. We will also assess their quality of life and number of chest infections over a 6 month period. This pilot study will determine if there is any role for statins are an anti-inflammatory agent in patients with bronchiectasis.
REC name
Scotland A REC
REC reference
10/MRE00/58
Date of REC Opinion
7 Sep 2010
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion