NCT03405090

Differential Mechanisms of Dyspnea Relief in Advanced COPD: Opiates vs. Bronchodilators

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: Dr. Denis O'Donnell · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 90 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Activity-related breathlessness (dyspnea) is the dominant symptom and persists despite optimal medical care in as many as 50% of patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of this project is to determine the underlying mechanisms of the activity-related breathlessness in patients with advanced COPD. To study the different pathways involved in causing breathlessness, we will compare the effects of two treatments, opiates with oxygen versus bronchodilators, which relieve breathlessness in different ways.

Detailed description

Dyspnea arises during exercise in COPD patients when there is a mismatch between the ventilatory demand (largely dictated by chemical stimuli) and the capacity to respond to that demand (dictated by mechanical/muscular factors). Our preliminary studies have indicated that treatment with opioids in COPD patients can improve activity related dyspnea by reducing central respiratory neural drive and breathing frequency without a significant change in the respiratory mechanics. By contrast, a reduction in exertional dyspnea following inhaled bronchodilators in COPD was mainly related to an improved respiratory mechanics with increased inspiratory capacity, tidal volume, and inspiratory reserve volume etcetera. By comparing the physiological mechanisms of dyspnea relief during the opiate and bronchodilator therapy, we hope to gain new insights into the mechanisms of dyspnea in COPD by selectively manipulating inspiratory neural drive (nebulized opiates) and abnormal respiratory mechanics (nebulized bronchodilators) within the same individuals. As such, the primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of inhaled opiate with oxygen versus bronchodilator treatments on the intensity of dyspnea, electromyographic estimates of inspiratory neural drive and respiratory mechanics and their interactions during a standardized exercise test using a randomized, controlled, crossover design in patients with COPD.

Conditions

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Fentanyl Citrate	100 mcg fentanyl citrate will be inhaled via nebulizer
DRUG	Combivent	0.5 mg ipratropium bromide + 2.5 mg salbutamol will be inhaled via nebulizer

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-09-20
• Primary completion: 2022-03-21
• Completion: 2023-03-31
• First posted: 2018-01-19
• Last updated: 2024-04-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada