Our research covers a wide range of activities reflecting the compentence areas of the department. We collaborate with many clinics and researchers both nationally and internationally, and are also involved in the education of medical doctors.

The Department of Respiratory Medicine is currently actively involved in the following research projects:

1. Lung transplantation and inflammation
   Group leader: Are Martin Holm
   The department is the national referral centre for lung transplantation. Currently, about 35 such transplants are performed annually, and the patients are followed life long. Current research projects focus on questions related to selection of candidates for lung transplantation and on the development of allograft dysfunction and on survival after transplantation.
   
   
2. Occupational epidemiology and inflammation
   Group leader: Johny Kongerud
   In occupational research we study health effects after exposure to gas, damp and particulate matter including bioaerosols and organic dust in several types of work places. In such projects we often visit the industry to carry out exposure measurements, perform examinations including respiratory questionnaires, lung function tests (spirometry and gas diffusion test at the most) and collect blood and sputum samples.  The aims of the studies are primarily to study the associations between the outcome and exposure variables controlling for possible confounders. We also do in vitro and ex vivo studies using particles from the workplaces in order to look at the immunological activities in a controlled setting.
   
   
3. Interstitial lung disease
   Group leader: Liv Ingunn Bjoner Sikkeland
   Our department is a regional and national referral center for patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and others. We also collaborate with the section for rheumatology in the evaluation of patients with connective tissue disease-related ILD. The department has participated in a number of international multicenter research studies. In collaboration with other centers, we are participating in an effort to validate an ILD-specific quality of life instrument in the Norwegian population. Using our local registry, we are assessing disease progression among patients with IPF treated with approved antifibrotic therapy. Finally, we are actively engaged in translational research, with a focus on lymphocyte phenotyping in bronchioalveolar lavage samples.

4. Lung cancer
   A. Investigation and selection of patients with lung cancer fit for surgery
   Lung cancer is responsible for the majority of cancer deaths in men and women in Norway, and the incidence is still increasing. Since 2005/2006 lung cancer surgery in Health Region South (1,4mill inh) has been centralized to our hospital, and the final selection of patients fit for resection has become the responsibility of our Department. A database has been constructed to follow up all patients referred for cancer treatment. Today more than 1000 patients are included.

   B. Palliative and curative treatment of tumours using laser therapy
5. Nursing research
   In a multi centre study in collaboration with the Division of Emergencies and Critical Care at Oslo University Hospital and other hospitals in the region  we investigate the occurrence of symptom clusters in COPD. The aim is to improve the evidence basis of patient care. Also, the relationship between immune function and symptoms in COPD is studied.

See the project section for more information about the different research projects.