Exacerbation Prevention in COPD-OSA (EPIC-OSA) V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exacerbation Prevention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) overlap syndrome: The clinical and health economic impact of treating patients with COPD-OSA overlap syndrome and a high risk of future exacerbations with positive airway pressure therapy (PAP) a multicentre randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
332000
Contact name
Patrick Murphy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-obstructive sleep apnoea (COPD-OSA) overlap syndrome have higher rates of COPD exacerbations compared to patients with similar severity COPD without OSA.
It is currently not known whether treating OSA in those with COPD-OSA overlap reduces exacerbation rates.
COPD exacerbations are characterised by acute transient worsening of symptoms such as dyspnoea, sputum production, sputum purulence and cough which are above the normal day to day variation in symptom burden and are usually associated with escalation of medical therapy.
Exacerbations are significant events impacting on patient quality of life, lung function, future exacerbation risk and survival. Exacerbations are recognised as a significant concern by patients, with exacerbation prevention ranked the number 1 research priority by COPD patients.
The study will aim to determine whether giving PAP (positive airway pressure) therapy to patients with COPD-OSA overlap will reduce exacerbations of COPD. A randomised controlled trial will be undertaken, patients with COPD-OSA overlap will be randomised to one of two groups: a) PAP therapy in addition to usual care for COPD, b) usual care for COPD alone.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0818
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion