COPDNCT01739790
N-Acetylcysteine for Patients With COPD and Chronic Bronchitis
A study testing N-Acetylcysteine in people with COPD and Chronic Bronchitis, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is described as having mucolytic and antioxidant properties. It is widely prescribed for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), particularly for those who have accompanying symptoms of chronic cough and sputum production. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 85 years
- Conditions the study is for
- COPD, Chronic Bronchitis
- What is being tested?
- N-Acetylcysteine
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 51 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jan 2013to Dec 2015
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 85 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Capability to provide written informed consent
- Age ≥ 40 years and ≤ 85 years
- FEV1/FVC ratio (post bronchodilator) < 70%
- FEV1 (post bronchodilator) < 65%
- Presence of chronic cough and sputum production defined as the following:
- Presence of chronic cough and sputum will be defined by responses to the first two questions on the SGRQ. Subjects who respond positively to both question 1 (cough) and question 2 (sputum) on the SGRQ as either "several days per week" or "almost every day" will be eligible
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- Current or former smoker with lifetime cigarette consumption of at least 10 pack-years
- Negative serum pregnancy test at the baseline visit if patient is a pre-menopausal female (menopause defined as absence of a menstrual cycle in the last 12 months)
- Must be fluent in speaking the English language
Who cannot join
- Not fully recovered for at least 30 days from a COPD exacerbation characterized by typical symptoms and treated with antibiotics or prednisone
- Known allergy or sensitivity to NAC or albuterol
- Any patient with unstable cardiac disease
- Any patient with a documented history of uncompensated congestive heart failure in the last 2 years
- Clinical diagnosis of asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Active lung cancer or history of lung cancer if it has been less than 2 years since lung resection or other treatment. If history of lung cancer, must have no evidence of recurrence in the 2 years preceding the baseline visit.
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- Undergoing active treatment for malignancy except for hormonal therapy (i.e. prostate cancer, breast cancer) or non-metastatic skin cancer and are not symptomatic
- Chronic kidney disease with an estimated GFR of < 30 ml/min. GFR will be estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula
- History of cirrhosis with evidence of portal hypertension (ascites, chronic edema)
- Participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program or completion within past 6 weeks
- Prisoners or institutionalized patients
- Participation in another study involving an investigational product within 30 days of the baseline visit
- Pregnant or breast-feeding patients.
- Use of guaifenesin in the last 30 days
- Currently on long acting nitrates for angina or heart failure
- Abnormalities in screening blood work defined as:
- WBC < 3.0 or > 15.0 K/cmm
- Hemoglobin < 9.0 or > 17.0 gm/dl
- Platelets < 75 or > 400 K/cmm
- ALT > 3 times the upper limit of normal
- INR > 1.5 unless on warfarin therapy
- Any concomitant condition that might endanger the patient through participation in the study or interfere with study procedures, as assessed by the investigator
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
About this study
Official title: Effects of High-Dose N-Acetylcysteine on Respiratory Health Status in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Bronchitis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial-3
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is described as having mucolytic and antioxidant properties. It is widely prescribed for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), particularly for those who have accompanying symptoms of chronic cough and sputum production. Compared to placebo, high-dose NAC will improve Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire scores in patients with COPD and chronic bronchitis.
Read the detailed description
A total of 130 subjects with COPD and chronic bronchitis will be randomized (in a double-blind fashion) to receive either high-dose NAC (1800 mg) or matching placebo twice daily for eight weeks. Respiratory health status, assessed by changes in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, will be used to determine the effects of NAC on lung function. It is anticipated that the subjects on high dose NAC will have improved scores.
- Conditions
- COPD, Chronic Bronchitis
- Being tested
- N-Acetylcysteine, Placebo
- Keywords
- COPD, Chronic Bronchitis, N-acetylcysteine
- Medical subject headings
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Bronchitis, Chronic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
N-AcetylcysteineDrug
1800 mg twice daily for 8 weeks
PlaceboDrug
Identical placebo manufactured to mimic appearance of intervention drug with identical frequency and duration.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Pill | Placebo comparator | Identical placebo pills twice daily for 8 weeks Placebo pills manufactured to mimic appearance of intervention drug n-acetylcysteine and prescribed with identical frequency and duration. Receives: Drug: Placebo |
| N-Acetylcysteine | Active comparator | 1800 mg twice daily for 8 weeks Receives: Drug: N-Acetylcysteine |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire
The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is scored on a scale of 1 to 100 with 100 representing the worst respiratory health status. The instrument is self-administered at baseline and again after 8-weeks of treatment.
Measured: Baseline to 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Dec 2012 (estimated)
- Study startJan 2013
- Primary completionDec 2015
- Study completionDec 2015
Why it stopped: PI discretion
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for COPDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MinnesotaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Minnesota
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Dennis E Niewoehner, MD, Principal investigator, University of Minnesota
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01739790
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1210M21542
- Status last verified
- Aug 2017
- First submitted
- 29 Nov 2012
- Last updated
- 13 Sep 2017
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Johnson K, McEvoy CE, Naqvi S, Wendt C, Reilkoff RA, Kunisaki KM, Wetherbee EE, Nelson D, Tirouvanziam R, Niewoehner DE. 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. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2016 Apr 21;11:799-807. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S102375. eCollection 2016.
PubMed 27143871
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Sep 2017. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of High-Dose N-Acetylcysteine on Respiratory Health Status in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Bronchitis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial-3
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01739790
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 1210M21542
- Conditions
- COPD, Chronic Bronchitis
- Keywords
- COPD, Chronic Bronchitis, N-acetylcysteine
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- TerminatedReason stopped: PI discretion
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of MinnesotaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jan 2013
- Primary completion
- Dec 2015 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2015 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Dec 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 13 Sep 2017
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is described as having mucolytic and antioxidant properties. It is widely prescribed for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), particularly for those who have accompanying symptoms of chronic cough and sputum production. Compared to placebo, high-dose NAC will improve Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire scores in patients with COPD and chronic bronchitis.
Detailed description
A total of 130 subjects with COPD and chronic bronchitis will be randomized (in a double-blind fashion) to receive either high-dose NAC (1800 mg) or matching placebo twice daily for eight weeks. Respiratory health status, assessed by changes in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, will be used to determine the effects of NAC on lung function. It is anticipated that the subjects on high dose NAC will have improved scores.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Pill | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboIdentical placebo pills twice daily for 8 weeks Placebo pills manufactured to mimic appearance of intervention drug n-acetylcysteine and prescribed with identical frequency and duration. |
| N-Acetylcysteine | Active comparator | Drug: N-Acetylcysteine1800 mg twice daily for 8 weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Capability to provide written informed consent
- Age ≥ 40 years and ≤ 85 years
- FEV1/FVC ratio (post bronchodilator) < 70%
- FEV1 (post bronchodilator) < 65%
- Presence of chronic cough and sputum production defined as the following:
Key exclusion criteria (22 listed)
- Not fully recovered for at least 30 days from a COPD exacerbation characterized by typical symptoms and treated with antibiotics or prednisone
- Known allergy or sensitivity to NAC or albuterol
- Any patient with unstable cardiac disease
- Any patient with a documented history of uncompensated congestive heart failure in the last 2 years
- Clinical diagnosis of asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| N-Acetylcysteine1800 mg twice daily for 8 weeks | Drug | N-Acetylcysteine |
| PlaceboIdentical placebo manufactured to mimic appearance of intervention drug with identical frequency and duration. | Drug | Sugar Pill |
Primary outcome
Changes in the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is scored on a scale of 1 to 100 with 100 representing the worst respiratory health status. The instrument is self-administered at baseline and again after 8-weeks of treatment.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Sep 2017.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Results publication: PubMed 27143871Johnson K, McEvoy CE, Naqvi S, Wendt C, Reilkoff RA, Kunisaki KM, Wetherbee EE, Nelson D, Tirouvanziam R, Niewoehner DE. 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. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2016 Apr 21;11:799-807. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S102375. eCollection 2016.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Dennis E Niewoehner, MD principal investigator
University of Minnesota
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing N-Acetylcysteine in people with COPD and Chronic Bronchitis, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 22 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Sep 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 13 Sep 2017). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01739790, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Sep 2017; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.