Respiratory-, allergy- and sleep research

Asthma, allergy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea are diseases with a high prevalence and a high impact on public health. In our research we investigate how the environment influences asthma and allergy and the relationship between obesity related diseases such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, diabetes and sleep apnea. Another aim is to improve the prognosis in COPD by investigating the impact of physical exercise and nutrition.

Inflammation in asthma

Asthma is one of the most common diseases in our modern society. Increased knowledge about the impact of environmental factors like smoking and indoor air pollution may make it possible to prevent and decrease the prevalence of asthma.

Obesity is on the rise in our society. Increased knowledge on how different obesity related diseases such as asthma, reflux, sleep apnea and diabetes are related increases the possibility of optimal treatment in patients with more than one obesity related disease.

The prevalence of COPD is increasing. At present no pharmacological intervention has a proven effect on the prognosis of COPD. If it is possible to demonstrate that physical exercise training in combination with nutritional treatment, and in selected patients oxygen, improves quality of life and reduces hospitalisations large benefits will be achieved both from a patient and society perspective.

Our group aims to

• investigate how active and passive smoking influences the risk for and prognosis in asthma.

• study the impact of indoor air pollution for the development of asthma and airway symptoms.

• examine the association between gastroesophageal reflux, sleep apnea and asthma.

• investigate the impact of chronic infections and systemic inflammation in asthma and COPD.

• study systemic and airway inflammation during natural and experimental pollen exposure.

• examine the association between exhaled nitric oxide, asthma, allergy and indoor air pollution.

• explore the association between diabetes, insulin resistance and sleep apnea.

• investigate sleep disordered breathing and sleep quality in COPD.

• optimise physical exercise training in COPD and explore the impact of nutrition and oxygen in exercise training.