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Diaphragmatic Function and Respiratory Drive in OSA and COPD

Diaphragmatic Morphofunction and Respiratory Drive in OSA and COPD: Insights From Ultrasound and EMG-based Cross-Sectional Analysis

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07003399
Enrollment
80
Registered
2025-06-04
Start date
2025-01-01
Completion date
2025-08-31
Last updated
2025-06-25

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

Conditions

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Keywords

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Overlap Syndrome

Brief summary

This cross-sectional observational study aims to assess the diaphragmatic morphofunction and respiratory drive characteristics among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), overlap syndrome (OS), and healthy controls. Using ultrasound imaging and surface diaphragm electromyography (EMGdi), the study will explore group differences in diaphragmatic morphology, function, and respiratory drive indicators, and evaluate their clinical significance in disease differentiation and severity assessment.

Detailed description

This is a single-center cross-sectional study designed to compare the diaphragmatic morphofunction and respiratory drive among four groups: OSA, COPD, overlap syndrome (patients with both OSA and COPD), and healthy controls. Participants will undergo overnight polysomnography (PSG), spirometry, impulse oscillometry, and diaphragm ultrasound combined with surface EMGdi measurements. The study will analyze group differences in diaphragmatic thickness, excursion, thickening fraction, and EMGdi parameters including EMGdi-rest, EMGdi-max, and EMGdi%max. The relationships between diaphragmatic indicators and respiratory parameters (FEV1, FVC, AHI, R5-R20, etc.) will also be assessed. This study aims to provide objective evidence for diaphragmatic dysfunction characterization in OSA and COPD, as well as to explore its diagnostic utility in overlap syndrome.

Interventions

OTHERDiaphragmatic Ultrasound and EMG Assessment

Non-invasive assessment of diaphragmatic morphofunction and respiratory drive using ultrasound imaging and diaphragm electromyography (EMG). This evaluation will be performed once per participant without any therapeutic intervention.

Sponsors

Nanjing Medical University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients aged between 18 and 80 years. 2. For OSA Group: Diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea with AHI ≥ 5 events/hour based on overnight polysomnography. 3. For COPD Group: Diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on GOLD guidelines. 4. For Overlap Group: Diagnosed both OSA (AHI ≥ 5) and COPD. 5. For Control Group: Healthy volunteers with no known respiratory diseases or sleep disorders. 6. Ability and willingness to provide informed consent for participation in the study.

Exclusion criteria

1. Severe cardiovascular diseases (e.g., unstable angina, heart failure NYHA III/IV). 2. Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency. 3. Neuromuscular diseases affecting respiratory muscles. 4. Recent upper airway or thoracic surgery (within 3 months). 5. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. 6. Participants who cannot complete assessments due to cognitive impairment or poor cooperation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Diaphragmatic electromyography (EMGdi-rest) at baselineBaseline (at enrollment)To assess resting diaphragmatic electromyographic activity (µV) across OSA, COPD, Overlap, and control groups using surface and esophageal EMG.
Diaphragmatic EMG during maximal inspiration (EMGdi-max)Baseline (at enrollment)To assess maximal inspiratory diaphragmatic EMG activity (µV) using voluntary effort tests with surface and esophageal EMG.
Relative inspiratory EMG effort (EMGdi%max)Baseline (at enrollment)To calculate the ratio of EMGdi-rest to EMGdi-max as a percentage, reflecting the relative inspiratory effort.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Difference in resistance (R5-R20)Baseline (at enrollment)To evaluate small airway dysfunction by calculating the difference between R5 and R20 (kPa·s·L-¹) .
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)Baseline (at enrollment)To compare FEV1 (L) across groups and assess its relationship with diaphragmatic function.
Forced vital capacity (FVC)Baseline (at enrollment)To compare FVC (L) across groups and assess pulmonary capacity.
FEV1/FVC ratioBaseline (at enrollment)To evaluate airflow obstruction using the FEV1/FVC ratio (%).
Diaphragmatic excursion measured by ultrasound during deep breathingBaseline (at enrollment)To evaluate diaphragmatic mobility (cm) during deep breathing using standardized ultrasound protocols.
Oxygen desaturation index (ODI)Baseline (at enrollment)To assess oxygen desaturation frequency during sleep (events/hour) using PSG data.
Minimum oxygen saturation (SpO₂ min)Baseline (at enrollment)To capture the lowest oxygen saturation (%) during overnight monitoring.
Time below 90% oxygen saturation (T90)Baseline (at enrollment)To calculate the percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation \< 90% (%).
Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)Baseline (at enrollment)To evaluate sleep-disordered breathing severity (events/hour) in OSA and Overlap groups.
Respiratory impedance parameter R5Baseline (at enrollment)To compare small airway resistance (kPa·s·L-¹) between groups using impulse oscillometry.
Respiratory resistance at 20 Hz (R20)Baseline (at enrollment)To compare central airway resistance (kPa·s·L-¹) using impulse oscillometry.

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactDing Ning, doctor
dr.ningding@live.cn86-25-68136723

Outcome results

None listed

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