NCT07132788

Understanding the Effects of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on Lean Muscle Mass

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are at increased risk of muscle loss and decreased physical activity. This study will aim to (1) understand the way in which muscle loss occurs in PAH, particularly the role of fat surrounding the heart, and (2) look at the impact muscle loss has on quality of life, daily physical activity, and hospitalizations in patients with PAH. The findings from this study could help identify potentially treatable factors that may improve the overall quality of life and physical functioning of patients with PAH. Subjects will be asked to attend a baseline visit where the following will be performed: * Measure your vital signs * Undergo a research blood draw, less than 4 tablespoons * Provide a urine pregnancy test (if applicable) * Review demographics, personal history, and medical history * Review current PAH medications * Complete questionnaires on how your PAH affects you * Complete a test of physical performance * Complete a grip strength test * Undergo an echocardiogram (Echo) * Complete a six-minute walk test * Undergo a Chest CT Scan * Undergo a scan of your body composition (DXA scan) * Obtain a weight and body composition measurement on the InBody Scale Subjects will also complete activity moniotring, two 24-hour diet recalls, and participate in remote follow-up visits every 6 months

Conditions

• Pulmonary Hypertension

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	blood draw	Research blood draw
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Short Performance Physical Battery	test of physical performance, which involves measuring movement from sitting to standing, walking speed, and balance
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Grip strength test	Measures grip strength
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Six minute walk test	Measures distance walked in 6 minutes
RADIATION	Chest CT scan	X-ray and computer technology takes detailed pictures of the organs and structures inside your chest
RADIATION	Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scan	Uses X-ray technology to measure the mineral density of your bones, and provides a ratio of fat tissue to lean mass (muscle) and bone
BEHAVIORAL	Activity monitoring	A device worn on your non-dominant wrist which measures motion/ movement/ activity
BEHAVIORAL	24 hour diet recall	A research dietitian will contact you and ask you to provide details of what you ate over the previous 24 hours
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Echocardiogram	Ultrasound technology to create moving images of your heart, valves, and chambers
BEHAVIORAL	Quality of Life Questionnaire (emPHasis 10)	The emPHasis-10 is a pulmonary hypertension-specific questionnaire which is scored from 0-50 (with higher scores indicating worse quality of life.)
BEHAVIORAL	International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF)	The IPAQ-SF is a small set of questions to obtain comparable estimates of physical activity.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-01
• Primary completion: 2029-09-30
• Completion: 2029-09-30
• First posted: 2025-08-20
• Last updated: 2025-08-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States