None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable and progressive lung disease that causes millions of deaths annually worldwide. Intervention in the pre-COPD stage (before COPD diagnosis but when lung damage has begun) may help prevent progression to COPD. Household air pollution (HAP) may worsen respiratory health. We will conduct a feasibility RCT on the use of HEPA air filters to reduce HAP for people with pre-COPD. Our results will inform future, larger research trials.
Interventions
In our proposed study, HEPA filter air purifiers will be placed in participant’s bedrooms to be used during the night over 3 months. We will use Hefil HEPA filter manufactured from Shanghai Heyi Purification Equipment Manufacuring Co. Ltd. In order to promote the adherence, we requested the modification on control panel of HEPA filter air purifiers. The machine will automatically turn on and off from 8 PM to 8 AM (overnight), and stay in sleep mode (less noises). Participants will need to provi
In our proposed study, HEPA filter air purifiers will be placed in participant’s bedrooms to be used during the night over 3 months. We will use Hefil HEPA filter manufactured from Shanghai Heyi Purification Equipment Manufacuring Co. Ltd. In order to promote the adherence, we requested the modification on control panel of HEPA filter air purifiers. The machine will automatically turn on and off from 8 PM to 8 AM (overnight), and stay in sleep mode (less noises). Participants will need to provide power only to the machine and do not need to operate. We will also provide real time air quality monitor to participants. A drop of over 60% in particulate matter (PM) levels will be defined as HEPA filter adherence amongst those with active filters. This will be assessed after study completion and unblinding. In addition, we will conduct feasibility and adherence check via online survey by sending SMS/email and after study commencement at 3, 7 and 14 days, at one month, and every month thereafter. Firstly, an SMS/email will be sent with a link. If there is no response, we will conduct telephone interviews.
Sponsors
The University of Melbourne
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
50 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be identified as having pre-COPD based on both respiratory symptoms and lower baseline lung function. Respiratory symptoms will be identified from the ECRHS IV short survey, including questions on current wheeze, current asthma, current asthma medication, current nasal allergy, chronic cough, chronic phlegm, and use of inhaled steroid medication. Lower baseline lung function will be identified as lower 50 percentile of pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC using GLI equation lung function reference at ECRHS IV.
Exclusion criteria
Participants do not meet the spirometric criteria for COPD (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7) at ECRHS IV.
Outcome results
None listed