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Professor John Hurst, an honorary consultant in respiratory medicine at the RFL, is among seven academics to have been awarded a professorship, which will enable him to carry out research into chronic lung disease in Brazil.
As part of the scheme, he was awarded £1.8m to research more effective ways of diagnosing a condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly among people living in low- and middle-income countries. Professor Hurst and his research team will be based in Sao Carlos, in the state of Sao Paolo during their five-year research project.
COPD is a progressive lung disease which in the UK mainly affects long-term smokers. However, in lower-income countries it is associated with exposure to indoor pollution caused by burning agricultural and animal waste for cooking and heating homes.
In some countries COPD affects around 10% of the adult population and although there isn’t a cure, there are effective treatments that can improve symptoms and future health – as a result early diagnosis is key.
Professor Hurst said: “COPD is usually diagnosed with a piece of equipment called a spirometer, which is operated by a trained clinician. However, all too often spirometry is not readily available in low- and middle-income countries like Brazil and so our research will look at alternative ways to diagnose the condition.
“This can be through a questionnaire and a simple breathing test called ‘peak flow’ which is much easier to conduct in lower-income countries. All the learning we gain through this research can also be applied to patients here in the UK as well.”
Professor Hurst said that all around the world, COPD diagnosis rates dropped due to the COVID pandemic, because patients were less likely to come forward for testing and testing was stopped, so there is significant under-diagnosis of this disease.
He added: “This professorship funds exciting work and if we can find a simpler way of diagnosing COPD it could have enormous benefits for patients living in many settings.”
NIHR Academy Dean, Professor Waljit Dhillo said: “I’m delighted to warmly welcome Professor Hurst and the six other exemplary researchers as the latest cohort of NIHR Global Research Professors.
“As leaders in their fields, these outstanding individuals will play a key role in improving the health and care of people around the world as well as developing early career researchers in their teams.”
