GENIAL aims to determine the role of genetic mutations in the development and trajectory of COPD and to identify clinical markers (e.g., dyspnea, number of exacerbations, lung function, exercise tolerance) that can detect acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Specifically, the project aims to:
1-Characterize clinical markers and 13 genes and explore their associations in patients with COPD;
2-Define clinical and genetic differences between patients with COPD and healthy people;
3-Determine the role of mutations in the 13 genes in the behaviour of clinical markers over time in patients with COPD;
4-Investigate the sensitivity of clinical markers to detect AECOPD and changes in patients’ health status over time;
5-Investigate the impact of the genetic profile on physiotherapy effectiveness in AECOPD.

Keywords: COPD; exacerbations; genes; genetic mutations; physiotherapy

Principal Investigator: Alda Marques – University of Aveiro

Principal Investigator@ ciTechCare: Joana Cruz (joana.cruz@ulo.pt)

Duration: 36 months (2016 – 2019)

Institutional Partners and Others

• University of Aveiro

Reference: PTDC/DTP-PIC/2284/2014

Funding: FCT