Actively Recruiting
Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease in Qatar: an Interventional Study to Reduce Blood Pressure: the APCIQ-BP Trial
Led by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar · Updated on 2025-07-20
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
W
Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
Lead Sponsor
H
Hamad Medical Corporation
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effects of using portable air cleaners at home to reduce exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and its impact on blood pressure and biochemical markers in adults with metabolic syndrome in Qatar. The study focuses on understanding whether lowering PM2.5 exposure can provide lasting improvements in systolic blood pressure and metabolic health over a period of four weeks. This research addresses the environmental factors contributing to chronic cardio-metabolic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, which significantly affect global health. Participants will be randomly assigned to use portable air cleaners at home for four weeks, with one group receiving devices equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters and the other group receiving similar devices without HEPA filters. The trial involves a triple-masked design to compare the effects of the active and sham air cleaners. The study monitors changes during the 4-week intervention and continues assessments up to 10 weeks. During the study, participants will have their systolic blood pressure measured at weeks 4 and 10. Additional assessments include fasting blood sugar levels and insulin resistance index at the same time points. Researchers will also evaluate adherence and safety throughout the trial. The total participation involves initial screening, 4 weeks of intervention, and follow-up assessments to track any persistent changes in cardiovascular and metabolic health.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease in Qatar: an Interventional Study to Reduce Blood Pressure
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Non-smokers with no use of any smoking or vaping products in the past year
- Age 18 years or older and less than 60 years old
- Living in a single residence such as a home or apartment located anywhere in Qatar
- Mild systolic hypertension with systolic blood pressure between 130 and 159 mm Hg, either off treatment or on stable treatment with 2 or fewer blood pressure medications for at least 4 weeks
- Meeting at least two additional metabolic syndrome criteria: waist circumference ≥102 cm for males or ≥88 cm for females; fasting triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL or on triglyceride-lowering medication; HDL cholesterol ≤40 mg/dL for males or ≤50 mg/dL for females or on HDL-raising medication; fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy
- Positive urine test for cotinine indicating recent tobacco use
- Living with an active indoor smoker
- Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, prior stroke, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysm
- Stage 3 or higher kidney disease with eGFR less than 60 ml/min
- Medical conditions placing participant at risk during the trial as determined by investigators
- Planned overnight travel outside residence during the study
- Use of HEPA filters in residence air conditioners or personal HEPA filter use
- Inability to understand or sign informed consent
- Lung diseases requiring oxygen therapy
- Receiving cancer treatment
- Blood pressure ≥160/100 mm Hg at screening or fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL with confirmed diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5%), unless HbA1c is below 6.5%
- Medication changes in the past 4 weeks or unstable therapy for blood pressure or lipids in the past 10 weeks
- Left upper arm circumference greater than 17 inches
- Acute illness or infection symptoms within 4 weeks before screening
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants use portable air cleaners in their homes either with a HEPA filter or without (sham) for 4 weeks to reduce exposure to air pollution.
1 baseline visit and 1 follow-up visit
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants switch to the alternate mode of air cleaner use in their homes (crossover) for another 4 weeks.
1 visit at the end of this period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha, Qatar
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Charbel Abi Khalil, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here