Improving Health Outcomes by Early COPD Diagnosis and Treatment in Patients Being Evaluated for Lung Cancer

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how early diagnosis and optimal treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD affect health outcomes in patients undergoing evaluation for suspected lung cancer. This study highlights the frequent coexistence of COPD and lung cancer, mainly due to shared risk factors like smoking. It aims to improve management of both diseases by focusing on integrated care approaches, potentially enhancing treatment tolerance, reducing complications, and improving overall survival. Participants are randomly assigned to either usual care or tailored COPD consultations following GOLD guidelines. The tailored consultations include pharmacological management, smoking cessation support, pulmonary rehabilitation referrals, nutritional assessment, cardiovascular evaluation, and sleep apnea assessment as needed. This is an open-label randomized controlled trial conducted at the Lung Cancer Investigation Unit at Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle. During the study, participants undergo assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, including the COPD Assessment Test CAT score, weight, height, BMI, 1-minute sit-to-stand test, and questionnaires on health status, anxiety, and depression. Researchers also monitor smoking cessation, exacerbations, hospitalizations, postoperative recovery, mortality, adverse events, and overall survival to evaluate the impact of early COPD management. The total study duration for participants spans 6 months with multiple follow-ups.

Enhanced COPD Management in Suspected Lung Cancer Patients