Skip to content

Boston Early-Onset Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Study

Genetic Epidemiology of Severe, Early-Onset Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01177618
Enrollment
2000
Registered
2010-08-09
Start date
1994-07-31
Completion date
2027-07-31
Last updated
2025-10-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Keywords

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Genetics, Association Studies

Brief summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often caused by cigarette smoking, but genetic predisposition also influences COPD susceptibility. The purpose of this study is to identify genetic factors that predispose some individuals to develop COPD.

Detailed description

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is the third leading cause of death in the United States, affects millions of people around the world. COPD, which can include both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, affects the lungs making it very difficult to breathe. Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for developing COPD; however, only 15% to 20% of smokers develop COPD in their lifetimes. The onset of COPD also varies greatly from person to person; while some people do not develop respiratory symptoms until later in life, there are others who develop severe COPD at a very early age. Prior research has led to the discovery of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein deficiency in association with COPD development. This discovery has generated further interest toward studying other genetic factors which may also affect an individual's likelihood of developing COPD. Therefore, the purpose of the Boston Early-Onset COPD study is to gain a better understanding of COPD risk factors in order to establish new possible methods of treatment for people affected by COPD. For this study we are enrolling individuals affected with severe COPD (52 years old or younger with an FEV1 \< 40%) and their family members. Each participant will attend one study visit that involves a respiratory questionnaire, a breathing test, and blood draw. This visit can be completed at the participant's home, in the hospital, or by long distance data collection (phone interview, local breathing tests, and local blood draw with mailed samples), whichever is preferred.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
CollaboratorNIH
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
FAMILY_BASED
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

for Early-Onset COPD Probands: * Early onset of COPD in individuals younger than 53 years old * Spirometry results that are indicative of severe COPD (FEV1 \< 40% predicted) * Physician-diagnosed COPD

Exclusion criteria

for Early-Onset COPD Probands: * Severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency * Other chronic lung diseases in participants with COPD (except asthma) * Pregnant * Any previous lung surgery including lung transplant or lung reduction volume surgery (LVRS); unless prior Pulmonary Function Tests are available

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
No Primary OutcomeSingle Visit for approximately two hours to collect study data and samplesSince this is an observational study, there are no primary outcomes

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactEdwin K. Silverman, M.D., Ph.D.
ed.silverman@channing.harvard.edu617-525-2128

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026