Belgian lung function tracking for adults with chronic respiratory disease

Belgian Lung Function Study: Personalised Longitudinal Lung Function Analysis as a Marker of Disease Progression

KU Leuven · NCT07419555

This project will test whether a machine-learning model can use past and routine lung tests to predict future lung function patterns for adults with chronic respiratory diseases.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment4000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKU Leuven (other)
Locations4 sites (Edegem and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07419555 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a multicentre observational study to prospectively validate a machine-learning model that predicts individual and population lung function trajectories using historical and routine lung function data. Investigators will collect baseline complete pulmonary function tests, prior spirometry history (minimum three measurements over at least two years), and follow participants for clinical outcomes including mortality, hospitalisations, emergency visits, and patient-reported outcomes. Predicted trajectories will be compared to observed trajectories to identify unexpected declines or improvements and to relate those deviations to step-up in care and health outcomes. Approximately 4,000 patients are expected from four Belgian hospitals to provide sufficient data for model validation and outcome analyses.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) with a diagnosed chronic respiratory disease who are followed at one of the four participating Belgian hospitals and have a baseline full lung function test plus at least three historical spirometry measurements over a two-year window.

Not a fit: Patients without adequate historical spirometry (fewer than three measurements or less than two years of data), those who have had a lung transplant, those unable to consent, or patients not cared for at the participating centres are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the model could enable earlier detection of unexpected lung function decline or improvement and help target interventions to reduce hospitalisations and mortality.

How similar studies have performed: Related machine-learning approaches have produced promising retrospective predictions of lung function, but prospective validation linking predictions to clinical outcomes is limited and remains novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Above 18 years old
* Diagnosed with a chronic respiratory disease and followed up in one of the participating Belgian hospitals
* Performed a complete lung function test (spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusion capacity) at baseline
* Have at least 3 historical spirometry measurements over a minimal time window of 2 years prior to inclusion
* Planned routine follow-up within standard clinical care in one of the participating hospitals

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have had a lung transplantation
* Patients not being able to give consent to participate

Where this trial is running

Edegem and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Chronic Respiratory Diseases, lung function, trajectory, predictions

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.