Physical activity and exercise capacity in PH
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Habitual physical activity and exercise capacity in Pulmonary Hypertension.
IRAS ID
164082
Contact name
Paul A Corris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a debilitating disease. There is progressive narrowing of the vessels in the lungs leading to an increase in the pulmonary artery pressures placing a strain on the right side of the heart and eventual right sided heart failure. It affects both genders with a female preponderance. Patients present with progressive breathlessness, fatigue and syncope. PH results in significant limitation of physical activity and low quality of life.
Management focuses on both supportive and target driven drug therapies. Modern drug therapy has led to a significant improvement in survival, slowing the rate of clinical deterioration and improving patients' quality of life. Despite the use of medications and exercise, patients remain symptomatic with significant limitation of their physical functioning with a poor prognosis.
PH patients managed at specialised centres across the country. They are monitored every three months to determine clinical status and the effectiveness of therapy. They are assessed in clinic using both qualitative and quantitive methods. These biomarkers have included the determination of their World Health Orgnaisation functional class, six minutes walk distance, Borg dyspnoea score, and blood tests using NT-proBNP.
The aim of the study is to investigate habitual physical activity and exercise capacity changes with PH-specific therpeutics. All potential PH patients seen in outpatient clinics will be asked to wear an accelerometer. They will also undergo cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPEX) when they are admitted. If they are found to have PH and started on standard therpeutics, they will be asked to wear the accelerometer at 3 and 6 months, at which time they will complete a further CPEX test and completion of two questionnaires.
This study will help us develop potential new exercise rehabilitation programmes focusing on PH patients.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0144
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion