Inhaled Fluticasone Effects on Upper Airway Patency in Obstructive Lung Disease
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2016-04-07
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The Chairman of the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission reported at a recent US Senate
hearing that asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnea are among
the top 13 most frequent diagnoses leading to disability under the Department of Defense and
the VA system statutes. Recent research finds that sleep apnea is more common among asthma
and COPD individuals, and this may be caused by inhaled corticosteroid use. Many Veterans are
currently using inhaled corticosteroids, and many more will be prescribed such medications,
given their recent inclusion in international treatment guidelines. As such, this study
addresses a critical need by researching the role of a potent inhaled corticosteroid in
promoting sleep apnea, the determinants of this response, and the ways through which it
occurs. Results from this study will form the foundation for future research aimed at
expanding understanding of the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on the upper airway, as
well as developing means to prevent or counteract them.