Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

Beta-Blockers in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

We are seeking patients with COPD (a smoking-related lung disease), aged 40-85, for participation in a placebo-controlled drug study investigating if beta-blockers can help people with COPD.

Brigham and Women's Hospital COPD Lung Diseases
10 visits over 13 months
Estimated Time Commitment
Male, Female, 40-85 years
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $550
May Be Offered
Survey, Personal health tracking, Blood draw, Medication, Office visit
May Be Required
 
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This project is not recruiting.

Overview

What we are studying

Brigham and Women's Hospital is doing this research study to find out if beta-blocker medication can help people with COPD (also called emphysema). Beta-blocker drugs are often used to treat patients with high blood pressure and heart disease. Recent studies suggest beta-blockers may reduce flare-ups of symptoms in patients with COPD and no heart disease.


Eligible patients can receive study medication, compensation, and medical evaluation at no cost.


If interested, please contact our study team!


Why it is important

COPD recently became the third leading cause of death in the United States, and many COPD patients have frequent flare-ups of their lung symptoms. These flare-ups are associated with poor quality of life, worsening of lung function, and death. Flare-ups are often caused by bacterial or viral infections or exposure to pollutants, but underlying heart disease, whether known or undiagnosed, can also trigger or make exacerbations worse. Many medications can reduce COPD symptoms and prevent flare ups, but there is currently no cure for COPD. More treatments are needed. 


What we hope to accomplish

Principal Investigator

Carolyn E Come, MD, MPH

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Public Profile

Who can participate


  • Diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

  • Current or former smoker

  • History of COPD flare ups or active use of supplemental oxygen

  • Willingness to travel to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for study visits

Who cannot participate


  • Patients taking beta-blocker medications

  • Patients with a diagnosis of asthma

  • Patients with an abnormal heart beat

  • Patients with a pacemaker and/or internal cardioverter/defibrillator

  • Patients with abnormally low blood pressure

  • Patients who have had a heart attack or heart surgery in the last 3 years

  • Patients with a diagnosis of cirrhosis

What you may be asked to do

You will be asked to come to Brigham and Women's Hospital for 10 study visits over a one-year time span, during which you will be asked to undergo a variety of study activities including:



  • Do a physical exam

  • Answer questions about your health and any medications you are taking

  • Fill out questionnaires

  • Preform a breathing test (spirometry)

  • Undergo an EKG (electrocardiogram) to monitor your heart function

  • Perform a walking tolerance test

  • Draw a blood sample


In addition, you will be asked to talk on the telephone with the study staff 10 times to discuss any side-effects or health problems you are experiencing.


 


Project activities may include:

  • Survey
  • Personal health tracking
  • Blood draw
  • Medication
  • Office visit

Estimated Time Commitment

10 visits over 13 months

What You May Get

Participants will be compensated up to $550 for completing study visits.

Location

Brigham and Women's Hospital
75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115

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Travel

  • Parking reimbursed
  • Accessible by public transportation
  • Parking available

Additional Information

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT02587351


Study Phase

Phase 4: This project studies a drug or treatment that has already been approved by the FDA and studied in both healthy volunteers and participants with specific diseases or conditions. It will gather more information about long term safety and will help to understand how the drug or treatment can be most effective.


Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • NIH or Other Federal
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