COPD Foundation Launches O2VERLAP Study

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 8, 2018 – The COPD Foundation today announced the launch of the O2VERLAP study in partnership with the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA). This research initiative is designed to measure the effectiveness of patient-centered proactive care methods on adherence to medical device therapies in patients diagnosed with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). COPD is a deadly respiratory disease that affects 30 million Americans and is characterized by wheezing and breathlessness; 10-15% of COPD patients also live with OSA, a condition that causes brief stops in breathing throughout the night.

“Patients who have both COPD and OSA experience considerable complications of these diseases — far more than COPD or OSA individually. Improving adherence to interventions is critical to improving outcomes in those who live with these conditions,” said Barbara Yawn, MD, Chief Scientific Officer at the COPD Foundation.

A recent survey conducted by the COPD Foundation found that over 60% of COPD-OSA overlap patients do not use their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy as prescribed. The aim of the O2VERLAP Study is to improve patients’ knowledge of and ability for self-care by testing various methods of web-based coaching and intervention. The curriculum of the intervention — a “virtual classroom” — has been directly informed by feedback from the Overlap Syndrome patient community via a series of focus groups conducted by the COPDF and ASAA.

The study will provide evidence to re-shape how care is delivered remotely to patients for patients with COPD and OSA — a critical improvement given rising healthcare costs. The recruitment goal for this study is 330 participants, and participants will be enrolled in the study for a 3-month time period.

This study is funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). PCORI is dedicated to funding research that is patient-centered and ultimately hopes to help patients make better-informed decisions. This project is classified as a PCORnet Demonstration Study. PCORnet stands for the National Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Network, which is an innovative PCORI initiative whose goal is to make it faster, easier, and less costly to conduct clinical research than is now possible by harnessing the power of large amounts of health data and patient partnerships. Demonstration Studies are designed to use the PCORnet infrastructure to test the ability to conduct research that addresses the concerns of patient network members via patient-identified research questions that have been prioritized by community stakeholders and participants.

For more information on the O2VERLAP study, please visit www.O2VERLAP.org or email the study team at O2VERLAP@copdfoundation.org.