Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are responsible for millions of deaths each year, the majority of which occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). LMICs also have high rates of abnormal lung function, including restrictive spirometric pattern (RSP), which can precede the development of chronic respiratory diseases and is associated with all-cause mortality. Additionally, LMICs in sub-Saharan Africa are home to the majority of the world's population of people with HIV (PWH). HIV increases the risk of COPD and COPD associated mortality, but the mechanisms underlying this risk are incompletely understood.

The investigators aim to support care partner's well-being and satisfaction with VA care and decrease their work burden by offering extra support from a trained Community Health Worker who will help connect the care partner to helpful resources in their communities and in the VA. The investigators also hope to help Veterans well-being and satisfaction with VA care by supporting their care partner more sufficiently allowing the care partner to focus on caregiving tasks.

The study is experimental and aims to (a) compare the viscoelastic properties of bronchial secretions obtained in patients suffering from obstructive respiratory disease, and (b) to compare the viscoelastic properties of bronchial secretions obtained in patients before and after application of a respiratory physiotherapy or exercise as usually prescribed. After agreement, the sputum of the participants will be collected according to the method used in clinical routine.Experiments (collection and analysis of sputum) will be conducted at the Saint-Luc University Clinic.

The goal of this physiological pilot study with a randomized crossover design is to study the effect of Flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) on the minute volume compared to Volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) in intubated patients with an exacerbation of their asthma or COPD. Our hypothesis is that FCV will results in a lower minute volume compared to VCV in this patient category. Patients will be randomized between two ventilation sequences, namely 90 minutes of FCV followed by 90 minutes of VCV or vice versa.