NCT04252235

Brief Summary

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 purifiers (HEPA filters) and half will receive sham air purifiers.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
178

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2021

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 30, 2020

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 5, 2020

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 15, 2021

Completed
4.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 20, 2026

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 28, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

March 4, 2026

Status Verified

March 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

4.9 years

First QC Date

January 30, 2020

Last Update Submit

March 3, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)

    FEV1 is the volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced exhalation maneuver. Lower volumes indicate worse lung function.

    Baseline [3 months before intervention and day of intervention] and post intervention [7 days, 6 months and 12 months]

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Change in health status (also called health-related quality of life) by St. George Respiratory Questionnaire

    Baseline [3 months before intervention and day of intervention] and post-intervention [6 months and 12 months]

  • Change in respiratory symptoms

    Monthly for 3 months preintervention and 12 months post-intervention

  • Change in functional capacity by 6 minute walk test

    The 6 minute walk test measures distance (in meters) walked in a time of 6 minutes

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Change in nasal inflammatory mediators

    Baseline [3 months before intervention and day of intervention] and post intervention [7 days, 6 months and 12 months]

Study Arms (2)

Sham air purifier

SHAM COMPARATOR

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.

Device: Sham air purifier

True air purifier

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Device: Air purifier

Interventions

The intervention is the placement of active HEPA air purifiers in the bedroom and living room of the true air purifier arm. These air purifiers have been shown to reduce levels of particles in the home.

True air purifier

The intervention is the placement of sham HEPA air purifiers in the bedroom and living room. These purifiers look identical to real HEPA air purifiers, but do not filter the air.

Sham air purifier

Eligibility Criteria

Age40 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age of 40 years or more
  • Physician diagnosis of COPD \[Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage II-IV disease with Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1)/ Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) ≤70% and FEV1 (% predicted) \<80%\]
  • Blood eosinophil count of \>=150 cells per μL at screening or in the previous year
  • Former smoker with tobacco exposure of \>=10 pack-years

You may not qualify if:

  • Inability to complete monthly questionnaires
  • Inability to perform lung function testing
  • Regularly using a portable HEPA air purifier in the home at time of enrollment
  • End stage chronic disease with life expectancy \<2 years as determined by PI judgment
  • Living in location other than home (e.g. long term care facility)
  • Planning to change residence within the study period

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Saeed MS, Denoncourt CM, Chao IA, Schortmann S, Nassikas NJ, Synn AJ, Koutrakis P, Coull BA, Kang CM, Wolfson JM, Ferguson ST, Rebuli ME, Jaspers I, Liu JP, Greco KF, Phipatanakul W, Rice MB. Protocol for the air purification for eosinophilic COPD study (APECS): a randomised controlled trial of home air filtration by HEPA. BMJ Open. 2024 Jan 18;14(1):e074655. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074655.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveEosinophilia

Interventions

Air Filters

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases, ObstructiveLung DiseasesRespiratory Tract DiseasesChronic DiseaseDisease AttributesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsLeukocyte DisordersHematologic DiseasesHemic and Lymphatic Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

FiltrationChemistry Techniques, AnalyticalInvestigative TechniquesEquipment and Supplies

Study Officials

  • Mary B Rice, MD MPH

    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Sham air purifiers will be indistinguishable from real air purifiers. Only the research assistant installing the purifiers and the data coordinating center will have knowledge of assignment to real or sham purifiers.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Participants will be randomized to receive real or sham HEPA filters in the bedroom and living room for a total of 12 months.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor of Medicine

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 30, 2020

First Posted

February 5, 2020

Study Start

March 15, 2021

Primary Completion

January 20, 2026

Study Completion

February 28, 2026

Last Updated

March 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

After study completion, data requests for post-hoc analyses may be submitted to the PI who will discuss each request with members of the research team and External Advisory Committee. If approved, we will facilitate secure access to data with appropriate coding files that will allow interpretation of the dataset. We will utilize data-sharing agreements to restrict the transfer of data, requiring that data be used only for research purposes. If excessive data preparation is needed, we will request funds from the requester to cover the additional personnel and resource costs.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, ANALYTIC CODE
Time Frame
After study completion, requests for data sharing will be addressed within 3 months.
Access Criteria
Data requests must be accompanied by a data analysis plan, which includes the scientific background and rationale for the proposed analysis, variables needed, analytical approach, and qualifications of the research team. Investigators must be able to demonstrate they have the skills and resources to analyze the data and protect the data in a secure environment.

Locations