Reducing blood pressure through air pollution intervention in Qatar
Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease in Qatar: an Interventional Study to Reduce Blood Pressure: the APCIQ-BP Trial
This study is testing whether using portable air cleaners at home can help people with metabolic syndrome in Qatar lower their blood pressure by reducing air pollution exposure.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Doha) |
| Trial ID | NCT05903950 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of in-home portable air cleaners in reducing PM2.5 exposure and improving systolic blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome living in Qatar. Over a four-week period, participants will use air cleaners with and without HEPA filters to assess their impact on cardiovascular health. The study addresses the significant role of air pollution in chronic cardio-metabolic diseases, particularly hypertension. By measuring changes in blood pressure and biochemical parameters, the research seeks to provide insights into the durability of these interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are non-smoking adults aged 18 to 60 with mild systolic hypertension and additional criteria for metabolic syndrome.
Not a fit: Patients who smoke, are pregnant, or have high-risk conditions that prevent blood pressure from being managed effectively will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to significant improvements in blood pressure management for patients affected by air pollution.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using personal air cleaners to reduce blood pressure, but the durability of these effects remains largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Non-smokers (100% abstinence from use of any smoking or vaping product during the prior year) * Age ≥18 and less than 60 years old * Living in a single residence (home, apartment) located anywhere in Qatar * Mild systolic hypertension: screening visit systolic BP 130 to 159 mm Hg (off treatment or taking ≤ 2 BP medications that have been stable without changes during prior 4 weeks) plus ≥ 2 more additional criteria for the metabolic syndrome: * Waist circumference ≥102 cm if male and ≥88 cm if female * Fasting triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (or taking a triglyceride-lowering medication) * HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dL if male and ≤ 50 mg/dL if female (or taking an HDL-raising medication), * Fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy (self-reported) * Screening visit urine positive for cotinine (NicAlert \>100 ng/mL) * Living with an active smoker who smokes indoors (by self-report) * High risk conditions that prohibit allowing home BP to be \>130/80 mm Hg during the10-week trial including any cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, prior stroke, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysm) or ≥ stage 3 kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate \< 60 ml/min) * A medical condition placing the participant at risk from participation (per investigators) * Expected overnight travel outside their residence during the study * HEPA filter within the air conditioners of the residence (self-reported) or individual use of HEPA filter * Unable to comprehend/sign an informed consent * Lung disease requiring oxygen * Cancer receiving treatment * Screening visit: BP ≥160/100 mm Hg or fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL and confirmed diabetes with follow-up HbA1c ≥6.5%. If glucose is elevated ≥126 mg/dL but HbA1c\<6.5%, they could still participate. * Medication changes in past 4 weeks. If participants are on medications for high BP or hyperlipidemia, they will need to have had stable therapy during prior 10 weeks with no planned changes during the study * Left upper arm circumference \>17 inches as this will make BP levels inaccurate with the home monitor used * Acute illness or infectious symptoms within the prior 4 weeks.
Where this trial is running
Doha
- Hamad Medical Corporation — Doha, Qatar (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Charbel Abi Khalil, MD — Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
- Study coordinator: Charbel Abi Khalil, MD
- Email: cha2022@qatar-med.cornell.edu
- Phone: +974 4492 8484
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.