DrDavid Chapman

The link between lung function and co-morbidities in Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

In COPD, the destruction of lung tissue leads to gas trapping and hyperinflation, a condition in which patients breathe at abnormally high lung volumes. Hyperinflation is central to the reduced quality of life in patients with COPD, being correlated with increased symptoms, reduced exercise capacity, reduced cardiac function and worse sleep quality. We are currently investigating novel interventions to reduce hyperinflation in patients with COPD in order to improve exercise capacity, cardiac function and sleep quality.

The effect of Obesity on Respiratory Disease
Obesity is an important co-morbidity in patients with asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Obesity is associated with increased respiratory symptoms, a reduced response to therapy and increased frequency of exacerbations. Although the mechanisms are not well understood, it is well know that obesity alters lung function in healthy people and that lung function in patients with respiratory disease is a net result of the effects of obesity and the effects of lung disease. We are currently trying to understand the complex relationship between obesity, respiratory disease and lung function in order to understand the contribution of obesity to the clinical management of obese patients with respiratory disease.

The effect of novel nicotine delivery systems on lung development and respiratory disease
Tobacco smoking is a major contributor to a multitude of diseases, including contributions to the development and severity of respiratory disease. Despite ample access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy and other smoking cessation tools, many smokers are not successful with long-term quit attempts. Therefore, several new nicotine delivery systems have been introduced in an attempt to reduce the harm due to tobacco smoking, including electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco products and low nicotine cigarettes. However, it is unknown whether these are actually safer than tobacco cigarettes and if they are, to what extent. We are currently determining the potential for novel nicotine delivery systems to contribute to respiratory disease using mouse models of in utero exposure and mouse models of allergic airways disease.