Objectives (include all primary and secondary objectives) Specific Aim #1: To determine whether an air cleaner intervention to improve home air quality will improve respiratory symptoms, quality of life, lung function and reduce risk of exacerbations in former smokers with COPD. Hypothesis: An intervention using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and carbon filter air cleaners in homes of former smokers with COPD will improve respiratory symptoms, quality of life, and lung function and reduce risk of COPD exacerbations compared with placebo (sham air cleaners). Specific Aim #2: To determine whether an air cleaner intervention to improve home air quality will be associated with intermediate outcome measures known to be linked with long term outcomes in COPD, including airway and systemic markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, in former smokers with COPD. Hypothesis 2: An intervention using HEPA and carbon filter air cleaners in homes of formers smokers with COPD will be associated with lower levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress known to be associated with adverse outcomes in patients with COPD.
This research is being done to learn whether an air cleaner intervention to improve home air quality (particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reduction) will improve respiratory symptoms, quality of life, lung function, and reduce risk of exacerbations in former smokers with COPD. The investigators will place air pollution monitors in the home to measure the air quality over five 1-week periods (at 3 month and 1 week pre-intervention, and 1 week, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention). During each week of monitoring, the investigators will ask that a diary be kept of breathing and how the participants are feeling every day. Participant will have 5 home visits and 5 clinic visits and monthly telephone calls during this time to see how the participant is feeling. One week after each home visit, the monitoring equipment will be picked up. After the 2nd monitoring period, active or sham air cleaners will be placed in home.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
142
Air cleaners containing HEPA and carbon filters (Austin HealthMate HM400) and capable of removing PM and NO2 will be placed in the bedroom and room where the participant reports spending the most time.
Homes in the control group will receive sham air cleaners that have the internal HEPA and carbon filters removed, but which will run normally, including similar noise, airflow and overall appearance compared to active air cleaners, thus blinding participants to filter status.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Change in Quality of Life
St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The total score is from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate more limitations
Time frame: Change from baseline and at 6 months post randomization
Health care utilization
Aggregate Exacerbations including (need for oral corticosteroids or antibiotics for worsening respiratory symptoms, emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalization). During this 6 months exacerbations will be collected at monthly telephone calls and at 3 and 6 month clinic visits. Whether an exacerbation occurred over this 6 month period will be assessed.
Time frame: Baseline through end of study (approximately 6 months post-randomization)
Change in Dyspnea (mMRC)
Dyspnea will be assessed using the modified medical research Council questionnaire (mMRC). The total score is from 0 (no dyspnea) to 2 (severe dyspnea).
Time frame: Change from baseline and 3 months post-randomization
Change in Dyspnea (mMRC)
Dyspnea will be assessed using the modified medical research Council questionnaire (mMRC). The total score is from 0 (no dyspnea) to 2 (severe dyspnea).
Time frame: Change from baseline and 6 months post-randomization
Change in COPD health status
Functional status will be assessed with the COPD assessment test (CAT). The total score is from 0 to 40. Higher scores indicate worse COPD control
Time frame: Change from baseline and 3 months post randomization
Change in COPD health status
Functional status will be assessed with the COPD assessment test (CAT). The total score is from 0 to 40. Higher scores indicate worse COPD control
Time frame: Change from baseline and 6 months post randomization
Change in Functional status
Functional status will be assessed with the 6 minute walk test. We will assess the distance (in meters) covered a time of 6 minutes.
Time frame: Change from baseline and 3 months post randomization
Change in Functional status
Functional status will be assessed with the 6 minute walk test. We will assess the distance (in meters) covered a time of 6 minutes.
Time frame: Change from baseline and 6 months post randomization
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