INSIGHT COPD: Intervention Study in Overweight Patients with COPD

STUDY BASICS

Do you have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and a history of smoking? Are you overweight and age 40 or older? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study testing a healthy lifestyle program and its effect on COPD symptoms for people who are overweight. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a progressive, debilitating lung disease affecting 30 million Americans. Up to 70% of people with COPD are also overweight, and both conditions can lead to multiple health problems. Weight loss and other healthy behaviors can decrease the risks of obesity-related complications like shortness of breath, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, but this strategy has not been tested in overweight or obese people with COPD. The purpose of this study is to help researchers find out if a program that promotes modest weight loss and increased physical activity will improve COPD symptoms for people who are overweight. Researchers hope their findings may help to change the direction of treatment for patients with COPD and obesity in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 40 and up
• Diagnosed with COPD
• Overweight or obese
• Body mass index (BMI) between 25.0-44.9
• Have shortness of breath
• Smoked at least 10 pack-years of cigarettes in your lifetime (1 pack a day for 10 years; 2 packs a day for 5 years)
• Access to a DVD player and/or the Internet
• Able to walk to a weight scale for a weight measurement
• Not participating in a weight loss program provided by trained personnel (attendance in a peer support group, following a self-help weight management book, “boot camp,” or diet is ok)
• Have not had, and are not planning to have, weight loss surgery
• Not pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, and not breastfeeding

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves a screening visit to determine eligibility and 2 follow-up visits at 12 and 18 months. Half of participants will also be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to take part in a healthy lifestyle program for 12 months. This involves watching videos on healthy lifestyle activities, tracking your weight, diet, and physical activity, and having a lifestyle coach. Participants who are not assigned to the healthy lifestyle program will continue with their normal diet and activities. All participants will undergo study visit procedures, which include answering questions about your background and health, physical and vital sign measurements, a breathing test, and a walking test.