The Use of a Forecasting System for Predicting Exacerbations of COPD

Early Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Interventions: Behavioral: COPD self care advice; Behavioral: Poor weather forecast warning

• Registration Number: NCT00788645
• Lead Sponsor: AstraZeneca

Brief Summary

People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often have periods during the year when their symptoms become worse. These are often due to an infection and are called "exacerbations" by doctors. Exacerbations are more common in the winter and also seem to be related to particular types of weather. As well as forecasting the weather the UK Met Office has developed a system to try to predict when exacerbations are likely to occur. The main purpose of this research study is to find out whether the Met Office forecasting service can predict when exacerbations are more likely to occur and whether the advice given during the predicted higher risk periods leads to fewer patients having an exacerbation or if it reduces the impact of the exacerbation. The study will also assess if there is a link between viral or bacterial infection and breathing problems that occur during the study period. The study will also collect information about possible causes of the breathing problems and what happens to the person afterwards. The results of this study will help us learn more about breathing problems which may lead to new research studies that would aim to improve the care of people with COPD.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2008-08
• Study First Submitted: 2008-11-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-11-10
• Study First Posted: 2008-11-11
• Primary Completion: 2009-03
• Study Completion: 2009-03
• Status Verified: 2010-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-11-30
• Last Update Posted: 2010-12-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 98

Inclusion Criteria

• Current or former smokers with a diagnosis of COPD
• Having impaired lung function as measured by spirometry

Exclusion Criteria

• History of asthma or nasal symptoms caused by hayfever
• No telephone
• Inability to record symptoms in an electronic diary (PDA)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Forecast	COPD self care advice	COPD patients receiving advice and poor weather warning
Forecast	Poor weather forecast warning	COPD patients receiving advice and poor weather warning
No Forecast	COPD self care advice	COPD patients receiving advice and poor weather warning

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The incidence and frequency of COPD exacerbations in each of the intervention groups	December 2008 to March 2009 inclusive
Electronic diary symptoms using the EXACT instrument	Daily recording

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Medication usage and hospital admissions	Acutely
Changes in the St Georges Respiratory questionaire	Start and end of study period
Severity and duration of exacerbations assessed using the EXACT instrument	Daily recording

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Research Site; 🇬🇧 Exeter, United Kingdom