BETTER TREATMENTS FOR BREATHLESSNESS IN PALLIATIVE AND END OF LIFE CARE
Objective
Our focus is on breathlessness that persists despite optimal treatment of the underlying condition. This widespread and frightening symptom has a major detrimental impact on patients’ quality of life and distresses their family, friends and carers. It is associated with physical and psychosocial morbidity and results in high use of health care services, including emergency care.
There are no licenced medicines for CB in the world. It is a major challenge to clinical management, care quality and patient wellbeing. We have completed a feasibility trial in 60 patients, reviews and case studies that suggest mirtazapine is a promising treatment.
To assess if mirtazapine is effective, we conduct a randomised double blind clinical trial of mirtazapine versus placebo in patients with CB and COPD or ILD. The trial recruits 324 patients over 18 months across respiratory, palliative care and community services in Poland, Ireland, Italy, Germany and the UK. We study the effects of treatment over time on patients, their family or caregivers and care costs. We survey clinicians and produce accessible European guidance on treating CB.
The consortium unites a unique multi-disciplinary group of clinician scientists from respiratory, palliative, geriatric and rehabilitation fields, alongside statisticians, trialists, health economists, health care researchers, patient and consumer groups and a European Society. This ensures the optimal design and operation of the trial and the widest impact from its results.
Using an existing medicine for a different purpose offers a highly cost-effective approach for treatment that can be implemented and sustained internationally.
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation action
Coordinator
KING'S COLLEGE LONDON
Address
Strand
Wc2r 2ls London
United Kingdom
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
EU Contribution
€ 1 395 122,75
Participants (12)
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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
Ireland
EU Contribution
€ 476 203,75
AZIENDA UNITA SANITARIA LOCALE DI REGGIO EMILIA
Italy
EU Contribution
€ 283 960
UNIWERSYTET MIKOLAJA KOPERNIKA W TORUNIU
Poland
EU Contribution
€ 76 290
KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITAET ZU KOELN
Germany
EU Contribution
€ 170 383,25
GDANSKI UNIWERSYTET MEDYCZNY
Poland
EU Contribution
€ 97 612,50
UNIVERSITA CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE
Italy
EU Contribution
€ 88 987,50
LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Germany
EU Contribution
€ 230 812,50
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
United Kingdom
EU Contribution
€ 106 095
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
United Kingdom
EU Contribution
€ 669 111,25
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY
Australia
THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Ireland
EU Contribution
€ 109 671,25
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOCIETY
Switzerland
EU Contribution
€ 65 750
Project information
BETTER-B
Grant agreement ID: 825319
Status
Ongoing project
-
Start date
1 January 2019
-
End date
31 December 2022
Funded under:
H2020-EU.3.1.3.
-
Overall budget:
€ 3 791 503,50
-
EU contribution
€ 3 769 999,75
Project information
BETTER-B
Grant agreement ID: 825319
Status
Ongoing project
-
Start date
1 January 2019
-
End date
31 December 2022
Funded under:
H2020-EU.3.1.3.
-
Overall budget:
€ 3 791 503,50
-
EU contribution
€ 3 769 999,75
Deliverables
Deliverables not available
Publications
Publications not available
Project information
BETTER-B
Grant agreement ID: 825319
Status
Ongoing project
-
Start date
1 January 2019
-
End date
31 December 2022
Funded under:
H2020-EU.3.1.3.
-
Overall budget:
€ 3 791 503,50
-
EU contribution
€ 3 769 999,75
Project information
BETTER-B
Grant agreement ID: 825319
Status
Ongoing project
-
Start date
1 January 2019
-
End date
31 December 2022
Funded under:
H2020-EU.3.1.3.
-
Overall budget:
€ 3 791 503,50
-
EU contribution
€ 3 769 999,75
