Exercise Pulseoximetry for Pre-flight Evaluation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients

Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need supplementary oxygen during air travel. Guidelines issued by The British Thoracic Society (BTS) for pre-flight evaluation do not discriminate sufficiently between those who need supplementary oxygen during flight, and those who can do without. Previous studies have indicated that decreasing hemoglobin oxygen saturation during exercise may predict in-flight hypoxemia. The objective of the present study is to examine if adding exercise oxygen desaturation to the BTS algorithm will better predict requirements for in-flight supplementary oxygen.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Hypoxemia Hypoxia Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Tract Diseases Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Age range

40 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Glittreklinikken

Hakadal, 1485, Norway

About this study

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines on pre-flight evaluation for patients with chronic respiratory disease is based on an algorithm where arterial oxygen saturation is the discriminating factor. It has recently been shown that this algorithm does not discriminate sufficiently between patients who need pre-flight evaluation and maybe supplementary oxygen during air travel, and those who can travel by air without supplemental oxygen or further evaluation. Studies have also shown that exercise desaturation may predict in-flight hypoxemia. The objective of the present study is to examine if inclusion of arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulseoximetry during exercise in the BTS algorithm, will increase the sensitivity and specificity of the BTS pre-flight evaluation guidelines.The study also include questionnaires on symptoms during air travel carried out before ande after the pre-flight evaluation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

patients with COPD who have performed a hypoxia altitude simulation test
able to perform the 6-minute walking test

Exclusion criteria

unstable angina
uncontrolled hypertension
uncontrolled arrythmia
patients with long-term oxygen treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

LHL Helse

Other

Registry information

Official study title

May Pulseoximetry During Physical Exercise Predict Hypoxemia in COPD Patients During Air Travel?

Important dates

Study start: 2009
Primary completion: 2010
Study completion: 2010
First posted: May 11, 2009
Registry last updated: Nov 18, 2010

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed