ClinicalTrials.Veeva

Menu

Impact of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Clinical Outcomes in Older Veterans With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Comorbid Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Overlap Syndrome)

VA Office of Research and Development logo

VA Office of Research and Development

Status

Enrolling

Conditions

Overlap Syndrome
Neurocognitive Function
Quality of Life
Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Elderly
Sleepiness
COPD
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Positive Airway Pressure

Treatments

Device: Positive airway pressure
Other: Conservative care (control arm)

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT04179981
E3124-R

Details and patient eligibility

About

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are highly prevalent chronic respiratory diseases in the Veteran population. OSA co-occurring with COPD, known as Overlap Syndrome (OVS), is a complex chronic medical condition associated with grave consequences. OVS is highly prevalent in Veterans. Veterans with OVS may be at increased risk for cognitive deficits, poor sleep quality as well as a reduced quality of life (QoL). The overall objective is to study the effects of positive airway pressure therapy on clinical outcomes in patients with OVS.

Full description

There are no studies regarding the impact of PAP therapy on sleep disturbance, cognitive function and quality of life in patients with OVS. The investigators' rationale is that in patients with moderate-severe OVS, PAP therapy will effectively alleviate sleepiness, sleep disturbances and cognitive deficits, and, thereby, improve QoL. 'PAP' includes either continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or noninvasive positive airway pressure ventilation (NIPPV).

Objectives:

Specifically, the investigators will study the effectiveness of PAP therapy vs. conservative care in reducing daytime sleepiness and in improving sleep quality and QoL in older Veterans with OVS.

The investigators will also explore whether CPAP is non-inferior to noninvasive positive airway pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in reducing daytime sleepiness, sleep disturbances and neurocognitive dysfunction, and in improving QoL in older Veterans with OVS.

Enrollment

668 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

60+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • OSA with moderate-to-severe disease, AHI 20 per hour by in-lab polysomnography with concomitant moderate-severe COPD based on pulmonary function tests (PFTS) and with past significant history (>10 pack-years) of smoking
  • Male or female gender
  • Age greater than or equal to 60 years
  • Stable treatment regimen for COPD

Exclusion criteria

  • Current or prior treatment with PAP or oral appliance

  • Central sleep apnea defined as central apnea index >5 per hour and comprising 50% of AHI

  • Known primary neuromuscular diseases

  • Disorders that may impact cognitive function including:

    • neurodegenerative disorders
    • traumatic brain injury
  • untreated PTSD and/or history of learning disability

  • Medicines that may cause or alter sleepiness: sedative hypnotics, or stimulants as these may alter the results

  • Patient is actively suicidal due to depression, unstable mental health condition

  • Epworth sleepiness score >16 (severe sleepiness) or a near-miss or prior automobile accident due to sleepiness within the past 12 months

  • Narcolepsy is the primary sleep disorder, with requirement of stimulant medications

  • Employed as a commercial driver or operating heavy machinery

  • On long-term oxygen therapy prior to start of study, more than 12 hr/day

  • Patients is unable to use either a nasal or face mask (e.g., facial trauma, claustrophobia)

  • Consumption of >3 alcoholic beverages per day or current use of some illicit drugs, as these may contribute to cognitive deficits

  • Patients who cannot give informed consent

  • Patients receiving hospice care

  • Pregnant women due to unknown risks

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Single Blind

668 participants in 2 patient groups

Conservative care (control arm)
Other group
Description:
Eligible OVS patients will receive conservative care/usual care with education about sleep apnea and sleep hygiene via handouts and video instructions. This is the control arm.
Treatment:
Other: Conservative care (control arm)
PAP therapy arm
Active Comparator group
Description:
PAP Therapy will be provided to eligible patients with OVS. This is the active therapy arm.
Treatment:
Device: Positive airway pressure

Trial contacts and locations

1

Loading...

Central trial contact

Ruchi Rastogi, MS

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

Clinical trials

Find clinical trialsTrials by location
© Copyright 2026 Veeva Systems