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Pulmonology

Helping pulmonology patients breathe easier

Pulmonary research at HealthPartners focuses on improving the health and care of patients with lung conditions. Those conditions include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung nodules and sleep disorders. We are actively involved in federally funded and industry-sponsored clinical research trials, collaborating with pulmonary experts across the country. Participation in these studies is open to HealthPartners members and community members.

To find a detailed information about our research studies that are currently enrolling participants or contact a study coordinator, click here

Investigator

Key projects

COPD CRN trials

We have participated in several clinical trials to explore treatment of COPD and reduction of COPD flare-ups (shortness of breath, producing more mucous):

  • AMBOX (Ambulatory Oxygen) – Use of light weight oxygen to enable increased activity levels.
  • MACRO (Macrolides for COPD) – Use of daily azithromycin (antibiotic) to reduce COPD flare-ups.
  • STATCOPE (SimvaSTAT in the Prevention of COPD Exacerbations) – Use of simvastatin (cholesterol-lowering drug) for reducing COPD flare-ups.
  • LEUKO (Leukotrienes for COPD) – Use of zileuton (asthma drug) to treat COPD flare-ups
  • BLOCK_COPD (Beta-Blockers for the Prevention of Acute Exacerbations of COPD) – We are testing how well metoprolol succinate (beta blocker) taken once per day works to reduce COPD flare-ups for patients who have moderately severe COPD. We are also testing the effect of the drug on rates and severity of COPD flare-ups, cardiovascular events, death from all causes, lung function, exercise tolerance and quality of life. This is funded by the Department of Defense
  • CARE (COPD Awareness, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment) – We aimed to decrease hospital re-admissions and increase and maintain physical activity through consistent patient motivation. We used pulmonary rehabilitation and home exercise, along with goal setting and early treatment of flare ups. This was done through motivational interviewing.
  • Home Pulmonary Rehab – This study is evaluating the effect of a home-based rehabilitation system on quality of life and steps. The system allows monitoring by a health care system. A health coach reviews the data and provide coaching to facilitate behavioral change and self-efficacy.
  • Genetic Epidemiology of COPD – The purpose of this study is to find genetic factors that could predict who will develop COPD. It is funded by National Institutes of Health.
  • INSIGHT (Intervention Study in Overweight Patients with COPD) – In this study, investigators are trying to find out if a program proven to help people lose a modest amount of weight and increase their physical activity will improve COPD symptoms for those with a high BMI. Those who want to will be able to work with a health coach to help meet weight and activity goals.
  • RETHINC (REdefining THerapy IN Early COPD) – This study is evaluating a drug (indacterol/glycopyrrolate) that may help improve breathing in people who do not meet the current criteria for COPD but have respiratory symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.

Asthma

  • PONENTE – This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of reducing oral corticosteroid (OCS) use after the initiation of benralizumab in people with severe eosinophilic asthma receiving high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/long-acting β2 agonists (LABAs) and OCS, with or without additional asthma controller medications.
  • Post-Food and Drug Administration Approval Clinical Trial Evaluating Bronchial Thermoplasty in Severe Persistent Asthma (PAS2) – This study evaluated the short- and long-term benefit and safety of a procedure called bronchial thermoplasty. It is performed with the Alair® System for the treatment of severe persistent asthma.
  • AUSTRI – This study evaluated fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination versus fluticasone propionate on the composite endpoint of serious asthma outcomes (asthma-related hospitalization, endotracheal intubation, and death) in subjects with asthma.
  • SIRROCCO – This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of benralizumab when added as a treatment for people with severe uncontrolled asthma who were using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long acting β2 agonists (LABA).
  • BORA – This study evaluated the safety and tolerability of benralizumab in asthmatic adults and adolescents on inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2 agonists (LABAs).

Smoking cessation

  • IMBIO – This study looks at the effectiveness of a pictorial “Patient Lung Health Report” on the attempted quit rate of smokers who have recently had a low-dose lung cancer screening CT scan and are still smoking. The report is based on lung tissue density in the patient’s CT images. Study groups involving the report with and without a standard phone smoking cessation session are being evaluated.  The study is funded by a Small Business Innovation Research Grant through the NIH.

Lung nodules

  • Watch the Spot – Monitoring lung spots with repeated computed tomography (CT) scans can help doctors find lung cancer early, when it’s most treatable. However, it can also increase the risks, costs and inconvenience of unnecessary tests. This study will help clinicians understand how often to repeat CT scans to determine if the spot is cancerous. It will also look at how often patients prefer to have CT scans and how they would like to be told of the results.

Key publications

  • Anderson LH, et al. Health care utilization and costs in people with insomnia. American Journal of Managed Care
  • Benzo RP. Effect of health coaching delivered by a respiratory therapist or nurse on self-management abilities in severe COPD: analysis of a large randomized study. Respiratory Care
  • Benzo RP, et al. Health coaching and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rehospitalization. a randomized study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
  • Casaburi R, et al. Influence of lightweight ambulatory oxygen on oxygen use and activity patterns of COPD patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy. COPD
  • Chupp G, et al. Long-term outcomes of bronchial thermoplasty in subjects with severe asthma: a comparison of 3-year follow-up results from two prospective multicentre studies. European Respiratory Journal
  • Dransfield MT, et al. Long-term comparative immunogenicity of protein conjugate and free polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases
  • Dransfield MT, et al. Metoprolol for the prevention of acute exacerbations of COPD. New England Journal of Medicine
  • Foreman MG, et al. Early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with female sex, maternal factors, and African American race in the COPD Gene Study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
  • Geiger-Brown J, et al. Self-reported sleep quality and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Geiger-Brown J, et al. Sleep quality in patients with moderate to severe COPD [abstract]. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
  • Johnson K, et al. High-dose oral N-acetylcysteine fails to improve respiratory health status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Regan EA, et al. Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) Investigators. Clinical and radiologic disease in smokers with normal spirometry. JAMA Internal Medicine
  • Wechsler ME, et al. Bronchial thermoplasty: long-term safety and effectiveness in patients with severe persistent asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology