The 3P study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Do Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors Improve Exercise Capacity in COPD Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension?

• IRAS ID

  40088

• Contact name

  Allan D Struthers

• Eudract number

  2010-018763-42

• ISRCTN Number

  2

• Research summary

  Viagra-like drugs (Phosphodiesterase 5A inhibitors) are very effective in pulmonary hypertension which is either idiopathic, due to collagen disease or left sided heart failure. However, they have never been properly assessed in what is by far the commonest variety of pulmonary hypertension (due to COPD). Hence we will do a randomised double blind, placebo controlled trial to examine the effect of tadalafil in COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension (n = 120). The primary endpoint will be the six minute walk test in order to see if tadalafil improves exercise capacity. We will also see if tadalafil improves quality of life as a secondary endpoint. If tadalafil causes the same benefit in this common disease as it does in the other (rarer) versions of pulmonary hypertension, then this will be a major advance since these patients are severely disabled.

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1

• REC reference

  10/S0801/46

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Jul 2010

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion