Predicting COPD flare risk from CT scans and health patterns over time
Risk Stratification for COPD Exacerbations with CT Analysis and Multidimensional Trajectory Subtyping
This project uses CT scans and health records over time to find patterns that show which people with COPD are more likely to have future flare-ups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324587 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have COPD, researchers will analyze your chest CT scans and past health information to measure features like loss of small lung blood vessels, changes in heart shape, types of emphysema, thickened airways, and muscle loss. They will combine these imaging measures with your medical history over time using a statistical trajectory method to group people with similar patterns. The goal is to identify subgroups who face higher risk of worsening symptoms or hospitalizations. This work mainly uses existing imaging and follow-up data to build tools that could guide earlier monitoring or care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with diagnosed COPD who have had chest CT scans and available follow-up clinical or lung function data are the ideal candidates for contributing to this work.
Not a fit: People without COPD or those who do not have CT imaging or longitudinal health records are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help clinicians spot people with COPD who are at higher risk for exacerbations so they can get earlier monitoring or preventive treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked individual CT biomarkers to COPD outcomes, but combining many CT measures with longitudinal trajectory subtyping is a newer approach that is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ross, James — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ross, James
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.