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Sputum Colour Charts to Guide Antibiotic Self-treatment of Acute Exacerbation of COPD (Colour COPD)

Not Applicable
Conditions
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Interventions
Other: sputum colour chart
Registration Number
NCT04705233
Lead Sponsor
University of Birmingham
Brief Summary

The primary objective of this study is to determine if a sputum colour chart can aid patient self-management of COPD exacerbations, such that use of the chart is non-inferior to usual care with respect to hospital admissions. There are also a range of other secondary objectives as detailed in the secondary outcomes section. An integral pilot phase, economic evaluation and process evaluation are also included.

Detailed Description

This study is a pragmatic, individually randomized trial, set in primary care, comparing usual care to the use of a sputum colour chart in patients at risk of hospital admission for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD), with the hypothesis that use of a colour chart will be non-inferior to usual care with respect to hospital admission rate after 12 months of follow-up, this being the primary outcome measure. Use of a chart might reduce antibiotic use, and thus might also change patterns of antibiotic resistance long term, such that these are important secondary outcomes. There is an internal pilot phase, a detailed process evaluation and a cost-effectiveness study.

The trial protocol also includes three sub-studies: 1) using a daily electronic symptom diary capable of picking up symptom defined (but potentially unreported) AECOPD, since these are an important prognostic marker (section 3); 2) collecting sputum samples from patients to assess patterns of antibiotic resistance and 3) a qualitative study which will include staff (for example, healthcare staff delivering the intervention) and patients.

This trial uses a sputum colour chart as part of a self-management intervention that enables patients with COPD to determine whether they have an exacerbation, and whether this requires antibiotic treatment. The 5 point sputum colour chart, adapted from Bronkotest® is being used.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
2954
Inclusion Criteria
  • Clinically diagnosed COPD, confirmed by a medical record of post-bronchodilator spirometry denoting obstruction.
  • ≥2 AECOPD in the 12 months prior to screening according to the patient or ≥1 hospital admission for AECOPD (i.e. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease- GOLD; C or D).
  • Able to safely use SM plan in the view of their usual care practitioner
  • Able to use sputum colour chart; this will be confirmed by a sight test if there is any doubt on initial assessment by the usual care or research team. Patients who report being colour blind will have their ability to use the chart tested at the screening visit.
  • Written Informed consent given

Additionally, to participate in the E-diary sub-study. - Access to smartphone/tablet and an email address.

Additionally, to participate in the Sputum sub-study.

  • Chronic bronchitis, defined by self-reported sputum production for at least 3 months in each of 2 consecutive years or more.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Household member already participating in the study.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sputum chartsputum colour chartUse of the 5 point sputum colour chart, adapted from Bronkotest® a self-management (SM) plan and rescue pack (RP) containing 5 days supply of antibiotic and steroid treatment
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of hospital admissions where the primary reason for admission is AECOPD12 months post randomisation

A binary outcome assessing incidence of at least one AECOPD over 12 months after randomisation where patients needed hospitalisation (defined by hospital discharge letter/coding).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of prescriptions for 2nd courses of antibiotics within 14 days of self-reported event (defined as treatment failure)12 months post randomisation

Self-reported prescriptions for 2nd courses of antibiotics within 14 days of self-reported

Number of Bed days due to AECOPD12 months post randomisation

Total in hospital bed days due to AECOPD taken from HES and/or participant self-report

Number of participant deaths from all causes12 months post randomisation

All-cause mortality taken from HES and/or medical records

Number of unscheduled GP visits for AECOPD12 months post randomisation

Self-reported unscheduled GP visits for AECOPD

Number of self-reported AECOPD every 3 months3, 6, 9 and 12 months post randomisation

Self-reported AECOPD (including those for which admission is required) obtained by telephone calls

Number of all cause hospital admissions12 months post randomisation

All cause hospital admission taken from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and/or participant self-report

Number of readmissions to hospital for AECOPD at 30 and 90 days12 months post randomisation

Readmissions to hospital for AECOPD at 30 and 90 days taken from HES and/or participant self-report

Quality of life by COPD assessment test3, 6, 9 and 12 months post randomisation

Quality of life measured using the COPD assessment test (CAT) at 3 monthly intervals

Quality of life measured using the EuroQoL-5Dimension-5Level questionnaire3, 6, 9 and 12 months post randomisation

Measured at 3 monthly intervals. The EQ-5D-5L generates a score from 5 to 25 (5 being 'no problem' on all of the 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression), the total score will be used for the economic evaluation only

Healthcare resource utilisation3, 6 and 9 and 12 months post randomisation

determined from participant self-report on bespoke questionnaire (in development)

Number of prescriptions for oral anti-fungals12 months post randomisation

Self-reported prescriptions for oral anti-fungals (e.g. for oral thrush)

Number of Self-reported antibiotic and steroid prescriptions for AECOPD3, 6, 9 and 12 months post randomisation

Self-reported number of hospitalisations due to AECOPD obtained by telephone calls

Antibiotic resistanceat baseline, all AECOPD and 12 months post randomisation

identification of antibiotic resistant pathogens within sputum culture

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

West Midlands Clinical Research Network

🇬🇧

Birmingham, United Kingdom

West Midlands Clinical Research Network
🇬🇧Birmingham, United Kingdom
Anuradha Krishna
Contact
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