Heat Waves and the Elderly With COPD
- Conditions
- COPDAgingHyperthermia
- Interventions
- Other: Water SprayOther: Control
- 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.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 44
- 65 years old or older
- Diagnosis of COPD
- 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
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Experimental: Very hot and dry Water Spray Subjects will be exposed to 3 hours in a climate chamber set to approximately 47 deg C and 15% relative humidity, which reflects a very hot and dry heat wave condition similar to the 2018 Los Angeles heat wave. Two visits will be required to complete this arm, with one visit including water spray for cooling. Experimental: Hot and humid Water Spray Subjects will be exposed to 3 hours in a climate chamber set to approximately 41 deg C and 40% relative humidity, which reflects hot and humid heat wave similar to the 1995 Chicago heat wave. Two visits will be required to complete this arm, with one visit including water spray for cooling. Experimental: Hot and humid Control Subjects will be exposed to 3 hours in a climate chamber set to approximately 41 deg C and 40% relative humidity, which reflects hot and humid heat wave similar to the 1995 Chicago heat wave. Two visits will be required to complete this arm, with one visit including water spray for cooling. Experimental: Very hot and dry Control Subjects will be exposed to 3 hours in a climate chamber set to approximately 47 deg C and 15% relative humidity, which reflects a very hot and dry heat wave condition similar to the 2018 Los Angeles heat wave. Two visits will be required to complete this arm, with one visit including water spray for cooling.
- 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
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
🇺🇸Dallas, Texas, United States