Multiorgan Pathology in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD: Transition of Systemic Inflammation Into Multiorgan Pathology (Study 3). (De Effecten Van Ontsteking op Skeletspieren Bij COPD)

There is increasing evidence in the literature that COPD should not be considered as a localised pulmonary disorder but as a systemic disease involving pathology in several extra pulmonary tissues. Well characterized systemic features are a chronic low grade systemic inflammation, altered body composition and a skeletal muscle fibre type shift. There are indications that an absolute or relative increase of fat mass puts COPD patients at increased risk for cardiovascular pathology while muscle atrophy is associated with a high prevalence of osteoporosis and with impaired physical function. The origin of systemic inflammation is poorly understood. Both endogenous and exogenous risk factors contribute to systemic inflammation and extra-pulmonary manifestations of COPD.

Overall objective of study 3:

To compare the pattern and severity of the systemic inflammatory profile in relation to skeletal muscle weakness and cardiovascular risk profile in COPD patients with mild to moderate disease compared to non-susceptible smokers.

Specific objectives:

1. To study the relative contribution of pulmonary and extra pulmonary factors on exercise capacity, skeletal muscle function and health status
2. To relate diet, physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors to body composition, skeletal muscle function and exercise capacity status
3. To study the influence of the emphysema phenotype on extra pulmonary pathology in COPD
4. To study muscle fibre type size and composition and to relate muscle oxidative phenotype with insulin sensitivity, inflammation (local and systemic) and molecular signatures of oxidative energy and protein metabolism.

Study design:

Cross-sectional study. Healthy smoking subjects and COPD patients will undergo extensive clinical, metabolic and inflammatory assessment at the university clinics in Groningen, Maastricht and CIRO Horn.

Study population:

Totally 60 subjects will be included

• 30 healthy subjects who after 20 pack years smoking have no signs of COPD (age 40-75 years)
• 30 COPD patients with GOLD stage II (age 40-75 years)

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Detailed Description

Primary study parameters/outcome of the study:

1. Smoking history and behaviour, diet and physical activity level assessed by questionnaire
2. Extensive lung function and CT scanning of the lung, ECG
3. Candidate genes for muscle dysfunction and CVD risk
4. Body composition (BIA, waist-hip ratio, DEXA-scan)
5. Systemic inflammation
6. Advanced Glycosylated Endproduct (AGE)
7. Glucose tolerance test
8. Risk factors of metabolic syndrome
9. 6 minute walking distance
10. Handgrip strength
11. Skeletal muscle function by isokinetic dynamometry
12. Physical activity level and pattern by accelerometry
13. Muscle oxidative phenotype, fibre cross-sectional area and molecular signatures obtained in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies before and after incremental cycle ergometry

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness (if applicable):

• Totally 22 hours will be spend in the hospital during 3 visits
• CT-scanning of the lung is associated with a radiation burden of 0.8-1.6 mSv (dependent of body weight)
• 50 ml peripheral blood (v. cubiti)
• Muscle biopsy may be associated with temporary pain and haematoma
• Drawing of arterial blood from the radial artery rarely leads to bleeding and transitory nerve damage (numb feeling in wrist/hand area).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 60

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: AMWJ Schols, Prof. dr. ir.; Phone Number: +31 43 387 5046; Email: a.schols@pul.unimaas.nl

Study Locations

• Netherlands
  • Limburg
    • Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands, 6200 MD
      • Maastricht University Medical Center, Dept. of Respiratory Medicine
      • Contact: Annemie Schols, Prof. dr. ir.; Phone Number: +31 43 387 50 46; Email: a.schols@pul.unimaas.nl
      • Principal Investigator: Emiel Wouters, Prof. dr. MD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 40 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Totally 60 subjects will be included

• 30 healthy subjects with 20 pack years smoking who have no signs of COPD (age 40-75 years)
• 30 COPD patients with GOLD stage II (age 40-75 years)

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 40-75 years
• Age, pack years, FEV1/FVC and FEV1% predicted must fit in one of 2 groups of table 4.3
• Physically and mentally able to undergo the total study protocol
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participation in another study
• Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
• Selected grade 1-3 co-morbidity listed in the ACE-27
• Active pulmonary infection like tuberculosis, pneumonia, flue, tracheobronchitis
• Active extra-pulmonary infection like hepatitis A-C, cystitis, gastroenteritis etc.
• Pulmonary diseases like sarcoidosis, IPF, silicosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma
• Life threatening diseases like carcinoma, AIDS (including HIV+), acute leukemia etc.
• Medication that may affect the results of the study: NSAID's, immunosuppressive agents like prednisolon, methotrexate, azathioprine, sintrom tablets, askal
• Antibiotic or prednisolon use in the past 2 months

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
1; • 30 healthy subjects with 20 pack years smoking who have no signs of COPD (age 40-75 years)
2; • 30 COPD patients with GOLD stage II (age 40-75 years)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
6 minutes walking distance
Body composition
Handgrip strength
Smoking history and behaviour, diet and physical activity level assessed by questionnaire
Extensive lung function and CT scanning of the lung, ECG
Candidate genes for muscle dysfunction and CVD risk
Systemic inflammation
Advanced Glycosylated Endproduct (AGE)
Glucose Tolerance Test
Risk factors of metabolic syndrome
Skeletal muscle function by isokinetic dynamometry
Physical activity level and pattern by accelerometry
Muscle oxidative phenotype, fibre cross-sectional area and molecular signatures obtained in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies before and after incremental cycle ergometry

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Top Institute Pharma
• Collaborators: GlaxoSmithKline; AstraZeneca; University Medical Center Groningen; Maastricht University Medical Center; UMC Utrecht; Danone Institute International; Nycomed
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Emiel Wouters, Prof. dr. MD, Maastricht University Medical Center, Dept. of Respiratory Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): April 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Anticipated): April 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2009
• First Posted (Estimate): March 19, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): March 29, 2010
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 26, 2010
• Last Verified: September 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Inflammation; COPD; Smoking; Multiorgan pathology; Extra pulmonary manifestations
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
• Other Study ID Numbers: 23475