Boston Early-Onset Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often caused by cigarette smoking, but genetic predisposition also influences COPD susceptibility. The purpose of this study is to identify genetic factors that predispose some individuals to develop COPD.

Detailed Description
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is the third leading cause of death in the United States, affects millions of people around the world. COPD, which can include both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, affects the lungs making it very difficult to breathe. Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for developing COPD; however, only 15% to 20% of smokers develop COPD in their lifetimes. The onset of COPD also varies greatly from person to person; while some people do not develop respiratory symptoms until later in life, there are others who develop severe COPD at a very early age. Prior research has led to the discovery of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein deficiency in association with COPD development. This discovery has generated further interest toward studying other genetic factors which may also affect an individual's likelihood of developing COPD. Therefore, the purpose of the Boston Early-Onset COPD study is to gain a better understanding of COPD risk factors in order to establish new possible methods of treatment for people affected by COPD. For this study we are enrolling individuals affected with severe COPD (52 years old or younger with an FEV1 < 40%) and their family members. Each participant will attend one study visit that involves a respiratory questionnaire, a breathing test, and blood draw. This visit can be completed at the participant's home, in the hospital, or by long distance data collection (phone interview, local breathing tests, and local blood draw with mailed samples), whichever is preferred.

Official Title
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Genetic Epidemiology of Severe, Early-Onset Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Conditions
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for Early-Onset COPD Probands: Early onset of COPD in individuals younger than 53 years old Spirometry results that are indicative of severe COPD (FEV1 < 40% predicted) Physician-diagnosed COPD Exclusion Criteria for Early-Onset COPD Probands: Severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency Other chronic lung diseases in participants with COPD (except asthma) Pregnant Any previous lung surgery including lung transplant or lung reduction volume surgery (LVRS); unless prior Pulmonary Function Tests are available
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Probands<br>Severe, early-onset COPD subjects that bring the family into the study | |
| Relatives<br>Relatives of early-onset COPD probands, including first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children), second-degree relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, half-siblings), spouses, and other affected individuals. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Primary Outcome | Since this is an observational study, there are no primary outcomes | Single Visit for approximately two hours to collect study data and samples | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Genetics, Association Studies