Services Database The Salford Lung Study

The Salford Lung Study was a clinical trial which began recruitment in 2012, with the basis that enrolment would be open to a much broader population with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma in the region, regardless of whether or not they had other conditions such as cancer or high blood pressure.

It examined the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment for COPD. The study utilised Salford’s electronic health record system and was delivered in collaboration with local healthcare providers to allow patients on the study to be closely monitored in real-time, but with minimal intrusion into their everyday lives.

It was the world’s first digitally enhanced randomised controlled trial to include a broad and inclusive population of patients in an everyday clinical practice setting, embracing a novel approach to clinical trial design.

Healthcare professionals from eight organisations across Greater Manchester collaborated to deliver the initial results of the Salford Lung Study. The study involved over 2,800 consenting patients, supported by 80 GP practices and 130 pharmacies in Salford and the surrounding Greater Manchester area. 

Patients were followed for a period of 12 months in a normal clinical practice setting using a single electronic medical record, linking primary care, secondary care and pharmacy data. Throughout the duration of the study physicians were allowed to modify or switch treatment at any point in the study, as would happen in normal clinical practice, the only exception being a switch from usual care to FF/VI.

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