Using entropy to detect sleep breathing problems in chronic lung disease
Official title: The Use of Entropy to Assess Sleep Disordered Breathing in Chronic Respiratory Disease
Run by University College, London · NCT07060079 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether entropy measurements from simple overnight oxygen and pulse recordings can find sleep-disordered breathing in adults with chronic lung conditions such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University College, London Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (London) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 30, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 11, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07060079 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (age 18 and over) with chronic respiratory disease (COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, or interstitial lung disease) who can give informed consent and are willing to sleep with portable monitoring devices are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Children, people unable to use portable monitoring or give consent, and patients with contraindications to portable monitoring or who require full in-lab testing for complex sleep disorders are unlikely to benefit from this screening approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The study applies nonlinear entropy analysis (for example, sample entropy) to physiological signals such as oxygen saturation and pulse rate recorded overnight with portable monitors. Researchers will compare entropy measures between adults with chronic respiratory diseases who do and do not have sleep-disordered breathing to identify characteristic differences. The approach aims to determine whether relatively simple finger pulse oximetry can provide useful screening information versus full cardiorespiratory testing. If successful, this method could clarify complex interactions between heart rate and oxygen signals during sleep in this patient group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this method could allow earlier or simpler detection of sleep-disordered breathing using low-burden overnight oximetry instead of full polysomnography for some patients.
How similar studies have gone: Entropy and other nonlinear metrics have shown promise in cardiovascular research and some sleep-oximetry screening work, but their application specifically to obstructive sleep apnoea in chronic respiratory disease is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All adult patients (≥ 18years) with chronic respiratory disease with/without SDB. * patients who have had previously negative studies as a control group. * Subject is able to read, understand, and sign the informed consent form. * Willing to sleep with portable monitoring devices. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are under 18 years of age at the time of the index study. * Contraindications to the use of portable monitoring. * Inability to give informed consent to take part in the study.
Where it's running
-
Royal Free hospital
London, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nawal Alotaibi
- Email: n.alotaibi@ucl.ac.uk
- Phone: 02080168375
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.