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Sensory-Mechanical Responses to Eucapneic Voluntary Hyperventilation and Mannitol

Phase 4
Recruiting
Conditions
Asthma
Cough Variant Asthma
Cough
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Eucapneic Voluntary Hyperventilation (EVH)
Registration Number
NCT03105843
Lead Sponsor
Dr. Diane Lougheed
Brief Summary

The objectives of this study are to determine the sensory-mechanical responses to Eucapneic Voluntary Hyperventilation (EVH) and Mannitol in individuals with cough variant asthma (CVA) and methacholine-induced cough with normal airway sensitivity (COUGH) and compare these responses to a control group of healthy individuals without asthma or chronic cough.

We hypothesize:

1. EVH and Mannitol cause dyspnea, cough, small airway obstruction with resultant dynamic hyperinflation, gas trapping and autoPEEP in individuals with CVA and COUGH, but not healthy controls.

2. The sensory-mechanical responses to both hyperosmolar challenges (EVH and Mannitol) are comparable within groups (CVA, COUGH and healthy controls).

Detailed Description

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation. Individuals with classic asthma experience paroxysmal symptoms including cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Cough variant asthma (CVA) is asthma in which chronic cough (cough lasting eight weeks or more) is the sole or predominant symptom of asthma. The pathophysiologic mechanisms which differentiate asthma, CVA, and eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma are not fully understood. We have recently identified individuals with chronic cough who cough during methacholine but have normal airway sensitivity (ie. do not have asthma or CVA) (COUGH) and may or may not have eosinophilic bronchitis. The purpose of this research is to further explore the pathophysiologic basis for cough in these conditions using two 'indirect' inhalation challenge tests: eucapneic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) and Mannitol), which induce osmotic and/or temperature changes in airway. Specifically, this study will collect preliminary data on the sensory-mechanical responses of individuals with CVA, COUGH and healthy controls to EVH and Mannitol Challenges.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Individuals aged 18-65 years of age with CVA and individuals with methacholine-induced cough but normal airway sensitivity. The following definitions will be used:

    1. CVA: chronic cough (≥8 weeks) is the sole or predominant symptom and positive methacholine challenge (PC20 ≤ 16 mg/mL) and history of cough responding to specific asthma treatment (such as inhaled steroid or 1 week trial of bronchodilator);
    2. Methacholine-induced cough but normal airway sensitivity: chronic cough (≥8 weeks) is the sole or predominant symptom and negative methacholine challenges (PC20 > 16 mg/mL).
  • Individuals aged 18-65 years of age with no history of asthma or chronic cough.

Exclusion Criteria
  • an exacerbation necessitating a change in medication, emergency department visit or hospitalizations within the previous 4 weeks
  • inability to perform acceptable spirometry
  • medical contraindications to methacholine challenge testing
  • smoking history in excess of 10 pack years Note: Previous treatment with inhaled or systemic corticosteroids is not an exclusion criterion; medication use will be recorded and examined in the analysis.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cough Variant AsthmaMethacholine (MCh) Challenge TestingIndividuals diagnosed with Cough variant asthma
Cough Variant AsthmaEucapneic Voluntary Hyperventilation (EVH)Individuals diagnosed with Cough variant asthma
Cough Variant AsthmaMannitol Inhalation KitIndividuals diagnosed with Cough variant asthma
Methacholine-induced coughMethacholine (MCh) Challenge TestingIndividuals with chronic cough and negative methacholine challenge
Methacholine-induced coughEucapneic Voluntary Hyperventilation (EVH)Individuals with chronic cough and negative methacholine challenge
Methacholine-induced coughMannitol Inhalation KitIndividuals with chronic cough and negative methacholine challenge
ControlMethacholine (MCh) Challenge TestingIndividuals with no history of asthma or chronic cough
ControlEucapneic Voluntary Hyperventilation (EVH)Individuals with no history of asthma or chronic cough
ControlMannitol Inhalation KitIndividuals with no history of asthma or chronic cough
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mid expiratory flowsTime frame of the methacholine challenge varies between individuals. At provocative dose/ventilation causing a 20% decline in FEV1 (PD20 and PC20 respectively). On average, these occur about 15-25 minutes into the challenge test

The bronchodilating effect of a DI will be examined using responses to the challenge testing (Visit 2/3) in these subgroups by comparing the mid-expiratory flow difference between the partial (PEF) and full maximal flow-volume (MEF) loops at 40% above Residual Volume (RV) from the forced vital capacity (FVC) (PEF40 and MEF40 respectively) at provocative dose of 4.5% saline causing a 20% decline in FEV1 (PD20 (HS)) and provocative minute ventilation causing a 20% decline in FEV1 (PC20 (EVH)) with that recorded at baseline.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Respiratory System Reactance (X5)After dose administration; will occur 2-5 minutes after dose

Single IOS will measure peripheral airway function using respiratory system reactance (X5) and peripheral resistance (R5-R20) and central resistance (R20) will be used as an index of airway narrowing.

Peripheral Resistance (R5-R20)After dose administration; will occur 2-5 minutes after dose

Single IOS will measure peripheral airway function using respiratory system reactance (X5) and peripheral resistance (R5-R20) and central resistance (R20) will be used as an index of airway narrowing.

Central Airway ResistanceAfter dose administration; will occur 2-5 minutes after dose

Single IOS will measure peripheral airway function using respiratory system reactance (X5) and peripheral resistance (R5-R20) and central resistance (R20) will be used as an index of airway narrowing.

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)After dose administration; will occur 2-5 minutes after dose

As an index of airway closure.

FEV1/FVCAfter dose administration; will occur 2-5 minutes after dose

As an index of airway obstruction.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kingston Health Sciences Centre

🇨🇦

Kingston, Ontario, Canada

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