Air Purification for Eosinophilic COPD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Inability to complete questionnaires, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 12 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether using air purifiers at home can improve lung health for adults with eosinophilic COPD, a type of chronic lung disease. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will use real air purifiers with HEPA filters, and the other will use placebo purifiers that do not clean the air. The trial aims to determine if cleaner air can alleviate COPD symptoms. Suitable candidates have been diagnosed with COPD, have elevated blood eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), and are former smokers. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance COPD management for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, so it's best to ask the study team for guidance.

What prior data suggests that air purification is safe for adults with eosinophilic COPD?

Research shows that HEPA air purifiers are safe and effective for improving indoor air quality. Studies have found that HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of tiny particles from the air, which is especially helpful for people with COPD, a lung condition that makes breathing difficult.

One study found that using HEPA filters at home can help reduce airway inflammation in people with eosinophilic COPD, a type of COPD with high levels of certain white blood cells. This study reported no major side effects, indicating that the treatment is generally well-tolerated.

For those considering joining a trial with HEPA air purifiers, research suggests they are safe to use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using air purification for eosinophilic COPD because it targets environmental factors that may contribute to the condition, which is a different approach compared to traditional medications like bronchodilators and steroids. Unlike drugs that aim to relieve symptoms or reduce inflammation, HEPA air purifiers work by physically removing airborne particles, potentially reducing exposure to irritants that exacerbate COPD symptoms. This non-drug intervention could lead to fewer side effects and offer a complementary strategy to existing treatments, providing a holistic approach to managing the condition.

What evidence suggests that air purification is effective for eosinophilic COPD?

Research has shown that air purifiers with HEPA filters can lower indoor air pollution and improve breathing. One study found that these air purifiers reduced indoor pollution particles by 61% in the homes of former smokers with COPD, a lung disease that makes breathing difficult. People with a type of COPD involving high airway inflammation, called eosinophilic COPD, might also benefit from these air purifiers. In this trial, participants will receive either a true HEPA air purifier or a sham air purifier. HEPA filters have already helped people with allergic asthma. While more research is needed specifically for eosinophilic COPD, reducing air pollution to ease breathing appears promising. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Mary B Rice, MD MPH

Principal Investigator

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults over 40 with eosinophilic COPD, a history of smoking (at least 10 pack-years), and specific lung function test results can join. They must not already use HEPA air purifiers, live in long-term care, plan to move soon, or have severe diseases with less than 2 years life expectancy.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with moderate to severe COPD.

I am 40 years old or older.

Blood eosinophil count of >=150 cells per μL at screening or in the previous year

Exclusion Criteria

My doctor thinks I have less than 2 years to live due to a severe illness.

I cannot perform lung function tests.

Living in location other than home (e.g. long term care facility)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

3 months

Baseline visit

Treatment

Participants receive either a real or sham air purifier in the bedroom and living room for 12 months

12 months

Monthly visits for monitoring

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 month

Post-intervention visits at 7 days, 6 months, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Air Purifier
• Sham Air Purifier

Trial Overview The trial is testing if home air purifiers improve lung health in people with eosinophilic COPD. Participants are randomly divided into two groups: one gets real HEPA filter air purifiers and the other gets fake ones.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: True air purifier Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a HEPA air purifier in the bedroom and living room.

Group II: Sham air purifier Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a sham air purifier that will be installed in the bedroom and living room. These purifiers will make a noise, but will not filter the air.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

872

Recruited

12,930,000+

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Collaborator

Trials

294

Recruited

1,233,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38238060/

a randomised controlled trial of home air filtration by HEPA This study will evaluate if reducing home PM exposure by high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air filtration improves respiratory health in eosinophilic COPD.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10806745/

a randomised controlled trial of home air filtration by HEPA Patients with eosinophilic COPD have been found to have higher levels of airway inflammation, greater responsiveness to anti-inflammatory ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04252235

NCT04252235 | Home Air Purification for Eosinophilic COPD This study evaluates the influence of home air purification on the lung health of adults with eosinophilic COPD. Half of the participants will receive real air ...

4. atsjournals.org atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.202103-0604OC

Randomized Clinical Trial of Air Cleaners to Improve ... Use of air cleaners with HEPA and carbon filters in the homes of former smokers with COPD was associated with 61% greater reduction in indoor PM ...

5. salatainstitute.harvard.edu salatainstitute.harvard.edu/breathe-easier-not-without-the-science/

Breathe easier? Not without the science - The Salata Institute HEPA filters have been helpful for people with allergic asthma, but they've never been tested in people with eosinophilic COPD. The results of ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8886948/

Randomized Clinical Trial of Air Cleaners to Improve ... Indoor particulate matter is associated with worse chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes. It remains unknown whether reductions of indoor ...

7. clinmedjournals.org clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijrpm/international-journal-of-respiratory-and-pulmonary-medicine-ijrpm-12-194.php?jid=ijrpm

The Role of HEPA Filters in Indoor Air Quality HEPA filters are recognized as crucial in mitigating indoor air pollution and improving COPD outcomes. HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of particulate matter, ...

8. bmjopen.bmj.com bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/1/e074655.abstract

Protocol for the air purification for eosinophilic COPD study ... This study will evaluate if reducing home PM exposure by high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air filtration improves respiratory health in eosinophilic COPD.