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Thermotherapy Against Persistent Bacterial LUNG Infections

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Chronic Lung Infections
Bronchiectasis
Copd
Asthma
Lung Diseases, Obstructive
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Interventions
Other: Thermotherapy/sauna bath
Registration Number
NCT05351242
Lead Sponsor
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Trial Network, Denmark
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to determine whether an intervention with frequent thermotherapy will be able to reduce the amount of colonizing bacteria in the bronchoalveolar lavage sample and eradicate the colonizing bacteria.

Detailed Description

Normally, bacterial lung infections are acute such as community-acquired pneumonia and typically resolve after antibiotic therapy without leaving much lasting damage on the lungs. However, a great amount of persons with disrupted clearance of mucus and/or lung immune system get persistent lung infections, which can be life-long, usually do not resolve even with antibiotics, and can greatly increase morbidity and mortality. IThese persistent lung infections are thus characterized by stable periods with exacerbations inbetween, akin to chronic lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. In addition, it has not been thoroughly investigated whether antibiotic regimens have an effect on disease control, as biofilm formation prevents antibiotics from killing the bacteria.

This is a randomized, controlled, multi-center, superiority trial evaluating the effect of a thermotherapy intervention, consisting of min. 7 minutes stay in min. 85℃ environment at least 4 times a week for 6 months, in persons with persistent bacterial lung infection, defined as min. 2 positive cultures during the last 24 months for one of the following bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae or Staphylococcus aureus, incl. 1 positive culture after attempted eradication therapy. The aim of the study is to investigate whether thermotherapy may offer a valid proposal for treatment of chronic lung infections.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
150
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Competent and capable
  • FEV1>1,0 L
  • Have had a positive culture from sputum or BAL min. 2 times in the last 24 months for bacteria of the species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Klebsiella oxytoca or Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, min. 1 positive culture after treatment with antibiotics
  • Willing to go to a sauna (min. temperature of 85℃ for at least 7 minutes) four times weekly for six months or avoid going to a sauna for six months
Exclusion Criteria
  • Allergy to lidocaine and/or midazolam
  • Contraindications to bronchoscopy
  • Previous severe laryngospasm (intubation requiring)
  • Pregnancy/breastfeeding
  • Severe linguistic problems or inability to give informed consent
  • Severe mental illness that is not controlled with medication. NB: Patients with controlled mental illness can be included and will be asked on an equal footing as others

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Thermotherapy/sauna bathThermotherapy/sauna bathMust go to a sauna (min. Temperature 85℃) min. 4 times a week for 6 months. Each sauna bath must last at least 7 minutes. The intervention patients receive a subscription card for a sauna during the period. Patients will still receive pre-existing treatment
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in bacterial growth (measured in cfu/mL) from bronchoalveolar lavage after 6 months6 months
Eradication of the cultured bacteria at baseline, defined by no use of antibiotics the last 14 days at the follow-up assessment after 6 months6 months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in abundance of the lung microbiota after 6 months6 months
Number of antibiotic treatment regimes within 6 months6 months
Physical performance measured by distance walked over 6 minutes6 months
Number of hospitalizations for all causes or death within 6 months6 months
Changes in BMI after 6 months6 months
Clinically relevant changes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test-score (range from 0-40, higher is worse) after 6 months6 months
Changes in status from Medical Research Council-dyspnea score (range from 0-5, higher is worse) from <3 to 3≥, after 6 months6 months
Changes in FEV1 after 6 months6 months
Changes in composition of the lung microbiota after 6 months6 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Herlev and Gentofte University hospital

🇩🇰

Hellerup, Region Hovedstaden, Denmark

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