Heat Waves and the Elderly With COPD

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: COPD; Aging; Hyperthermia

• Registration Number: NCT06295523
• Lead Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate thermoregulatory responses in older individuals with COPD.

Detailed Description

Heat waves are the leading cause of death among natural disasters in the United States.

Elderly individuals are disproportionately more likely to become ill or die during heat waves. While the elderly have a reduced ability to regulate their body temperature,8-10 hospitalizations and deaths in this population during heat waves are primarily due to cardiovascular and/or respiratory complications, not solely hyperthermia. While previous research has primarily focused on the thermal and cardiovascular consequences of healthy aging, very little research has focused on the physiological responses to heat exposure in older individuals with chronic disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Notably, epidemiological data suggests that pulmonary complications are a leading cause of heat wave-related hospitalizations in older adults with a diagnosis of COPD, yet nothing is known regarding the physiological mechanisms by which those with COPD are most susceptible to heat waves. To fill this important gap, the investigators will identify the physiological responses that occur in this population, relative to healthy age-matched individuals, during two unique heat wave simulations.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-01-01
• Study First Submitted: 2024-02-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-03-04
• Study First Posted: 2024-03-06
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-04
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-07
• Primary Completion: 2025-12
• Study Completion: 2025-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 44

Inclusion Criteria

• 65 years old or older
• Diagnosis of COPD

Exclusion Criteria

• Known heart disease
• Other chronic medical conditions requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia etc
• Abnormality detected on routine screening suggestive of provokable ischemia or previously undetected cardiac disease or resting left bundle branch block on screening electrocardiogram
• Current smokers
• Participant with a body mass index ≥31 kg/m2

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Core body temperature	Prior to and throughout each simulated heat wave exposure, an average of 480 minutes	Core body temperature will be measure from gastrointestinal temperature via an ingestible telemetric pill
Forced vital capacity (FVC)	Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each	FVC will be assessed via spirometry
Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)	Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each	FEV1 will be assessed via spirometry
FEV1/FVC ratio	Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each	The ratio of forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity will be assessed via spirometry

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas; 🇺🇸 Dallas, Texas, United States