Investigating treatments for sleep apnea in elderly veterans
Pathophysiology-Guided Therapy for Sleep Apnea in the Elderly
This study is testing whether oxygen, finasteride, and acetazolamide can help elderly veterans with sleep apnea breathe better while they sleep.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 89 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Detroit, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT02703220 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to explore the effectiveness of oxygen, finasteride, and acetazolamide in reducing sleep apnea among elderly veterans. It focuses on understanding how these interventions can modulate breathing stability during sleep by affecting ventilatory control mechanisms. The research will compare cerebrovascular reactivity between younger and older adults to identify key factors contributing to sleep apnea in the elderly. Ultimately, the goal is to develop novel therapies that improve the quality of life for elderly veterans suffering from sleep-disordered breathing.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are elderly adults aged 60 and older with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Not a fit: Patients with severe sleep apnea or significant comorbid conditions such as cardiac disease or severe pulmonary disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to new treatment options for elderly patients with sleep apnea, improving their overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While alternative therapies for sleep apnea have been explored, this specific approach targeting elderly veterans is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults who are 60 years old and older, with mild to moderate sleep apnea with AHI \>/=5 to 20/hr with central, obstructive, mixed apneas and hypopneas. * For the finasteride protocol elderly men with above criteria will be enrolled. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with severe sleep apnea (AHI\>20/hr) * Patients with history of prostate cancer * Males with hypogonadism * History of cardiac disease, including myocardial infarction * Bypass surgery * Atrial and ventricular tachy-bradycardias * Systolic congestive heart failure and Cheyne-Stokes respiration * Current unstable angina * Stroke * Schizophrenia * Untreated hypothyroidism * Seizure disorder * Preexisting renal failure and liver disorders * Failure to give informed consent. * Patients with significant pulmonary diseases by history and abnormal pulmonary function testing, including moderate obstructive/restrictive lung/chest wall disorders with resting oxygen saturation of \<96% or on supplemental oxygen * Patients on certain medications including: * study drugs * sympathomimetics/parasympathomimetics or their respective blockers * narcotics * antidepressants * anti-psychotic agents * other central nervous system (CNS) altering medications * current alcohol, tobacco or recreational drug use * Patients with BMI\>34kg/m2 will be excluded to avoid the effects of morbid obesity on pulmonary mechanics and ventilatory control * Elderly with unstable gait or mobility issues that may preclude safe participation * Individuals with allergy to finasteride or acetazolamide will be excluded from the specific protocol * Pregnant women
Where this trial is running
Detroit, Michigan
- John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI — Detroit, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Susmita Chowdhuri, MD MS — John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI
- Study coordinator: Ruchi Rastogi, MS
- Email: ruchi.rastogi@va.gov
- Phone: (313) 576-4464
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.