Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Conditions
Keywords
airway disease, bronchitis, emphysema, lung
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a stay at moderate altitude on exercise performance of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.
Detailed description
Patients with moderate to severe COPD living below 800 m, will be recruited to participate in a randomized cross-over field trial evaluating the hypothesis that exercise capacity during a 4 day sojourn at moderate altitude is reduced in comparison to low altitude. Outcomes will be assessed during 2 days in Zurich (490 m, low altitude baseline), 2 days at Davos Clavadel (1650 m), and 2 days at Davos Jakobshorn (2590 m). The main outcome is the 6 minute walk distance.
Interventions
OTHERaltitude exposure
stay at different altitudes: 490, 1630, 2590 m
Sponsors
University of Zurich
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), GOLD grade 2-3 * residents at low altitude (\<800 m)
Exclusion criteria
* Unstable condition, COPD exacerbation * Mild (GOLD 1) or very severe COPD (GOLD 4) * requirement for oxygen therapy at low altitude residence * hypoventilation * pulmonary hypertension * more than mild or unstable cardiovascular disease * use of drugs that affect respiratory center drive * internal, neurologic or psychiatric disease that interfere with protocol compliance including current heavy smoking (\>20 cigarettes per day), inability to perform 6 min walk test. * previous intolerance to moderate altitude (\<2600m). * Exposure to altitudes \>1500m for \>2 days within the last 4 weeks before the study. * Pregnant or nursing patients
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in exercise performance from baseline measured at 490 m | Change in 6 min walk distance from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m | 6 min walk distance |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in exercise performance from baseline measured at 490 m | Change in 6 min walk distance from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 1650 m | 6 min walk distance |
| Change in pulmonary function from baseline measured at 490 m | Change in pulmonary function from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m | lung volumes by spirometry |
| Change in arterial blood gases from baseline measured at 490 m | Change in arterial blood gases from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m | Arterial blood gas analysis |
| Change in perceived exertion from baseline measured at 490 m | Change in perceived exertion from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m | Borg CR10 scale at end of 6 min walk |
Countries
Switzerland
Outcome results
None listed