Skeletal Muscle Function in Interstitial Lung Disease

What this study is about

Dyspnea (i.e. breathlessness) and exercise intolerance are common symptoms for patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), yet it is not known why. It has been suggested that muscle dysfunction may contribute to dyspnea and exercise intolerance in ILD. Our study aims to: i) examine differences in the structure and function of the leg muscles in ILD patients, ii) determine if leg muscle fatigue contributes to dyspnea and exercise limitation in patients with ILD, and iii) determine the effects of breathing extra oxygen on leg muscle fatigue, as well as ability to exercise in ILD patients.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Age 40-80 years (inclusive)
• A multidisciplinary diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), idiopathic fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), or unclassifiable ILD with a differential diagnosis that consists of the above diagnoses
• Fibrosis on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT): honeycombing, reticulation, or traction bronchiectasis
• Appropriate candidate for pulmonary rehabilitation
• 6 minute walk distance 50m or more
• Oxygen saturation ≥ 92% by pulse oximetry at rest while breathing room air
• Clinically stable for the preceding 6 weeks
• Can fluently read and write in English

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Age 40-80 (inclusive)
• Normal pulmonary function (80-120% predicted)
• No lung or cardiovascular disease
• Can fluently read and write in English

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Contraindication to exercise testing (e.g. significant cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological disease)
• Other significant extra-pulmonary disease that, based on clinical assessment, could impair exercise capacity and/or oxygenation
• Forced vital capacity (FVC) less than 50% or Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) less than 25%
• Concurrent or recent participation (less than 6 months) in a pulmonary rehabilitation program
• Use of prednisone greater than 10 mg/day for more than 2 weeks within 3 months of the first study visit
• Significant emphysema (less than 10% volume on HRCT or FEV1/FVC less than 0.70)

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Currently smoking or previously smoked more than 10 pack-years
• Any medical conditions that prevents them for exercising safely
• Cardiac pacemaker or any metal or electronic inside the body

Where this trial is running

• St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Who to contact

Olivia Ferguson, MSc · 1-604-806-8835 · Olivia.Ferguson@hli.ubc.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT03800017.