Neurocognitive and Health Impact of Sleep Apnea in Elderly Veterans With Comorbid COPD
Eligible age
60–89 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
No
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About this study
Cognitive dysfunction in the aging Veteran population is a growing health concern in the Veterans Health System. It is not known whether OSA coexisting with COPD will enhance the risk for cognitive dysfunction. The investigators sought to investigate whether these two highly prevalent diseases, that often co-exist as the 'Overlap Syndrome', combine to enhance cognitive impairment in the elderly Veteran population. Thus, the investigators will study whether elderly patients with Overlap syndrome have increased cognitive deficits compared with OSA or COPD alone. Additionally, treatment of OSA with positive airway pressure (PAP) has been shown to improve neurocognitive function in moderate-to-severe OSA while cognitive decline in COPD may be reversible through treatment with long-term oxygen therapy. The investigators will also study whether treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP) and supplemental oxygen vs PAP alone will improve cognitive function and improve quality of life of elderly Veterans.
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
You may qualify if…
- ✓ OSA defined by the International classification of Sleep Disorders-322 diagnostic criteria with moderate-to-severe disease, i.e. apnea hypopnea index (AHI) 15\* per hour by polysomnography
- ✓ Moderate-to-severe COPD defined by GOLD 2 and 3 (Global Obstructive Lung Disease) 23 criteria with FEV1/FVC ratio \<70% and FEV1 \>30% and \<80% of predicted based on PFT done within the past 1 year and a past significant history (10 pack-years) of smoking
- ✓ Age 60 years
- ✓ Male or female gender
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Mild COPD
- ✕ Mild OSA
- ✕ Overlap Syndrome with mild OSA plus mild COPD
- ✕ Central sleep apnea defined as central apnea index \>5 per hour
- ✕ Already on daytime oxygen or nighttime CPAP, NIPPV, oral appliance
- ✕ Current smokers
- ✕ Pregnant women
- ✕ Disorders of hypoventilation due to known neuromuscular or chest wall diseases\*\*
Where it's recruiting
Detroit
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT02703207 · last updated 2026-05-26