MedPath

Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at Altitude - Effect of Nocturnal Oxygen on Breathing and Sleep

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Interventions
Drug: sham oxygen (room air)
Registration Number
NCT02150590
Lead Sponsor
University of Zurich
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of nocturnal oxygen therapy during a stay at moderate altitude on breathing and sleep of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

Detailed Description

Patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease living below 800 m will be invited to participate in a randomized, cross-over field trial evaluating the hypothesis that nocturnal breathing and sleep during nights spent at moderate altitude are improved by oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula compared to room air (sham oxygen). Outcomes will be assessed at low altitude (Zurich, 490 m, baseline), and during 2 study periods of 2 nights each spent at moderate altitude (St. Moritz Salastrains, 2048 m) separated by a wash-out period of at least 2 weeks spent at low altitude (\<800 m).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
32
Inclusion Criteria
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), GOLD grade 2-3
  • residents at low altitude (<800 m)
Exclusion Criteria
  • unstable condition, COPD exacerbation
  • mild (GOLD 1) or very severe COPD (GOLD 4)
  • requirement for oxygen therapy at low altitude residence
  • hypoventilation
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • more than mild or unstable cardiovascular disease
  • use of drugs that affect respiratory center drive
  • internal, neurologic or psychiatric disease that interfere with protocol compliance including current heavy smoking (>20 cigarettes per day), inability to perform 6 min walk test.
  • previous intolerance to moderate altitude (<2600m).
  • exposure to altitudes >1500m for >2 days within the last 4 weeks before the study.
  • pregnant or nursing patients

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Oxygensham oxygen (room air)oxygen administration via a nasal cannula at a rate of 3 L/min during nights spent at 2048 m
Sham oxygensham oxygen (room air)Sham oxygen (room air) administration via a nasal cannula at a rate of 3 L/min during nights spent at 2048 m
OxygenOxygenoxygen administration via a nasal cannula at a rate of 3 L/min during nights spent at 2048 m
Sham oxygenOxygenSham oxygen (room air) administration via a nasal cannula at a rate of 3 L/min during nights spent at 2048 m
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean nocturnal oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetryApproximately 8 hours (during the first night at 2048 m)

Difference in mean nocturnal oxygen saturation between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2048 m.

Apnea/hypopnea index measured by polysomnographyApproximately 8 hours (during the first night at 2048 m)

Difference in apnea/hypopnea index between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2048 m.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean nocturnal oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetryApproximately 8 hours (during the second night at 2048 m)

Difference in mean nocturnal oxygen saturation between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2048 m.

Psychomotor vigilance test reaction timeApproximately at 10 a.m. on the second day at 2048 m

Difference in subjective sleep quality between visual analog scale measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2048 m.

Apnea/hypopnea index measured by polygraphyApproximately 8 hours (during the second night at 2048 m)

Difference in apnea/hypopnea index between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2048 m.

Severe hypoxemiaApproximately 72 hours (day 1 to 3 at 2048 m)

Number of participants in whom arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry is less than 75% for more than 30 min during the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.

Subjective sleep quality visual analog scale scoreApproximately 8 hours (during the second night at 2048 m)

Difference in subjective sleep quality visual analog scale scores between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2048 m.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Zurich, Pulmonary Division

🇨🇭

Zurich, Switzerland

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath