COPD, Aging, Hyperthermia
Conditions
Keywords
COPD, heat wave, thermoregulation
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate thermoregulatory responses in older individuals with COPD.
Detailed description
Heat waves are the leading cause of death among natural disasters in the United States. Elderly individuals are disproportionately more likely to become ill or die during heat waves. While the elderly have a reduced ability to regulate their body temperature,8-10 hospitalizations and deaths in this population during heat waves are primarily due to cardiovascular and/or respiratory complications, not solely hyperthermia. While previous research has primarily focused on the thermal and cardiovascular consequences of healthy aging, very little research has focused on the physiological responses to heat exposure in older individuals with chronic disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Notably, epidemiological data suggests that pulmonary complications are a leading cause of heat wave-related hospitalizations in older adults with a diagnosis of COPD, yet nothing is known regarding the physiological mechanisms by which those with COPD are most susceptible to heat waves. To fill this important gap, the investigators will identify the physiological responses that occur in this population, relative to healthy age-matched individuals, during two unique heat wave simulations.
Interventions
OTHERWater Spray
Participants will receive water spraying on their body throughout the climate chamber exposure.
OTHERControl
Participants will NOT receive water spraying on their body throughout the climate exposure.
Sponsors
American Heart Association
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 65 years old or older * Diagnosis of COPD
Exclusion criteria
* Known heart disease * Other chronic medical conditions requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia etc * Abnormality detected on routine screening suggestive of provokable ischemia or previously undetected cardiac disease or resting left bundle branch block on screening electrocardiogram * Current smokers * Participant with a body mass index ≥31 kg/m2
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Core body temperature | Prior to and throughout each simulated heat wave exposure, an average of 480 minutes | Core body temperature will be measure from gastrointestinal temperature via an ingestible telemetric pill |
| Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) | Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each | FEV1 will be assessed via spirometry |
| Forced vital capacity (FVC) | Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each | FVC will be assessed via spirometry |
| FEV1/FVC ratio | Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each | The ratio of forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity will be assessed via spirometry |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed