The purpose of this study is to investigate thermoregulatory responses in older individuals with COPD.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1
Participants will receive water spraying on their body throughout the climate chamber exposure.
Participants will NOT receive water spraying on their body throughout the climate exposure.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Dallas, Texas, United States
Core body temperature
Core body temperature will be measure from gastrointestinal temperature via an ingestible telemetric pill
Time frame: Prior to and throughout each simulated heat wave exposure, an average of 480 minutes
Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)
FEV1 will be assessed via spirometry
Time frame: Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each
Forced vital capacity (FVC)
FVC will be assessed via spirometry
Time frame: Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each
FEV1/FVC ratio
The ratio of forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity will be assessed via spirometry
Time frame: Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure, approximately 10 min each
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