Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Quality of Life After Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

This study is about understanding how people's lives change after they've been admitted to hospital with a chest infection, also known as a lower respiratory tract infection. We know these infections, like pneumonia or bronchitis, can make people feel unwell for a long time, affecting their energy, physical strength, and even their mood. At the moment, we don't fully understand why some people recover quickly while others struggle for many months. This study will ask adult patients, who have been in hospital with a chest infection, to fill out a questionnaire about their health and wellbeing for up to a year after they leave hospital. The results will help us learn how these infections affect long-term health and daily life, including financial costs, so we can find better ways to support recovery in the future.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2028

Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI)Chest Infection Quality of Life

What is this study about?

When you get a chest infection, like pneumonia or bronchitis, it affects the air passages in your lungs. These infections are quite common, especially in older people, and can be caused by viruses (like flu or COVID-19) or bacteria. While many people get better, some find that their recovery is slow and it takes a long time to feel well again. They might feel very tired, struggle with physical activities, or even notice changes in their mood or thinking.

Currently, we don't know enough about how these long-lasting effects impact people's lives after they leave hospital. We also don't fully understand why some people take much longer to get back to their normal self. This study aims to fill that gap. We want to measure how people's quality of life changes over time – specifically for up to a year – after they’ve been in hospital with a chest infection.

By collecting this information, we hope to learn more about the common problems people face during their recovery. This includes understanding the impact on their daily routines, finances, and overall wellbeing. The findings will help doctors and healthcare providers better understand what support patients need after a chest infection and how we can improve care in the future.

Key takeaways

This study investigates recovery after being in hospital with a chest infection.
It aims to understand long-term impacts on daily life, finances, and wellbeing.
Participation involves filling out questionnaires about your health for up to one year.
No new medicines or extra hospital visits are required.
Results will help improve future care for people recovering from chest infections.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults who have recently been in hospital because of a chest infection.

You might be able to take part if you are 18 years old or over, and your doctor treated you for a chest infection, like pneumonia. It's important that you or a family member can understand what the study involves and agree to take part, and that you can follow the study instructions and answer questionnaires over time.

You would not be able to join if you've been in hospital recently for another reason (within 14 days before your current admission) or if your chest infection is due to lung cancer or tuberculosis. Also, if you're only receiving comfort care (palliative treatment), or if your lung problem is mainly a flare-up of a long-term condition like asthma or COPD, you wouldn't be able to join this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Were you recently admitted to hospital for a chest infection (like pneumonia)?
Can you understand spoken or written English (or can a family member help you)?
Are you able to fill in questionnaires over the next year?
Are you NOT currently receiving only comfort care (palliative treatment)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will be asked to complete a special questionnaire about your health and how you're feeling. This questionnaire will measure your ‘quality of life’ – for example, how easily you can do daily tasks, your energy levels, and your general mood. You will complete this questionnaire at different times over the course of up to one year after you leave hospital. You won't need to take any new medicines or have extra hospital visits as part of the study.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no major risks to taking part in this study, as it only involves completing questionnaires. You won't be given any new treatments or medicines. The main benefit is that your information will help us understand more about recovery from chest infections, which could lead to better care for others in the future. You are free to stop taking part at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your care.

Locations (1)

Nottingham City Hospital
Verified postcode
Nottingham, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'lower respiratory tract infection'?

It's a medical term for a chest infection, like pneumonia or bronchitis, that affects your airways below your vocal cords and your lungs.

What does 'quality of life' mean in this study?

It refers to how well you feel and function in your daily life, including your physical health, mental wellbeing, and ability to do usual activities.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medicines or treatments. It only asks you to share information about your health through questionnaires.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You will be asked to fill out questionnaires at various times for up to one year after you leave hospital.

Will my personal information be kept private?

Yes, all your information will be handled confidentially and securely, and your privacy will be protected.

How to find out more

Professor Tricia McKeever

tricia.mckeever@nottingham.ac.uk +44 (0)115 8231721 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.