Examining the Genetic Factors That May Cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (COPDGene)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00608764 |
Recruitment Status :
Active, not recruiting
First Posted : February 6, 2008
Last Update Posted : February 8, 2023
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Condition or disease |
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive Emphysema Bronchitis, Chronic |
COPD is a disease in which the lung airways are damaged and partly obstructed, making it difficult to breathe. Millions of people in the United States have COPD, and it is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Symptoms include coughing, excess mucus production, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. Emphysema and long-term bronchitis are the two most common manifestations of the disease. The most common risk factor for developing COPD is cigarette smoking; however, only 15% to 20% of smokers develop COPD in their lifetimes. It is not known why some smokers develop COPD and some do not, but certain genetic factors, combined with exposure to cigarette smoke, may increase the likelihood of developing COPD. This study will analyze DNA from current and former cigarette smokers to identify genetic factors and markers that may indicate a predisposition to developing COPD.
This study will enroll African-American and white cigarette smokers and former cigarette smokers both with and without COPD. Participants will attend one study visit during which they will complete questionnaires about lung symptoms, breathing difficulties, medical and family history, and quality of life. They will also undergo blood collection, a physical exam, lung function testing, and a walking test to measure endurance. Participants will undergo a high resolution computed tomography (CT) chest scan and a medical record review. Study researchers will contact participants up to four times a year for 10 years to collect follow-up medical information. Five-year and ten-year follow-up visits including a similar study protocol as the baseline visit will be performed on all available subjects.
Study Type : | Observational |
Actual Enrollment : | 10718 participants |
Observational Model: | Cohort |
Time Perspective: | Prospective |
Official Title: | Genetic Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
Study Start Date : | November 2007 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 2027 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | December 2027 |

Group/Cohort |
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NHW COPD Participants
Non-Hispanic white participants with COPD
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NHW Control Group
Non-Hispanic white participants with normal spirometry (do not have COPD)
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AA COPD Participants
African-American participants with COPD
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AA Control Group
African-American participants with normal spirometry (do not have COPD)
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- Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline ]
- Emphysema, as shown on chest CT scan [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline ]
- Airway wall thickness on chest CT scan [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline ]
- COPD status (COPD participants versus control group participants) [ Time Frame: Measured at baseline ]
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 45 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
Particpants with COPD will include outpatient clinic patients, patients in registries, previous study participants, and COPD Foundation volunteers.
Participants without COPD will include spouses and friends of study participants with COPD and patients at primary care practices.
Inclusion Criteria:
- At least 10 pack-years of cigarette smoking (although a of nonsmoking controls is also being enrolled)
- Self-designation of non-Hispanic white or African-American
Exclusion Criteria:
- Other lung diseases (except for asthma in participants with COPD)
- Pregnant
- Cancer (other than skin cancer) in the 5 years prior to study entry
- Received antibiotics for a COPD exacerbation in the 1 month prior to study entry
- First- or second-degree relative of a previously enrolled study participant

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00608764

Principal Investigator: | James D. Crapo, MD | National Jewish Health | |
Principal Investigator: | Edwin K. Silverman, MD, PhD | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
Responsible Party: | Edwin K. Silverman, Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00608764 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
1428 U01HL089897 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) U01HL089856 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | February 6, 2008 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | February 8, 2023 |
Last Verified: | February 2023 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | COPDGene phenotypic and genotypic data are available through dbGaP. |
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD Emphysema Chronic Bronchitis |
Genetics Association Studies Computed Tomography |
Bronchitis Bronchitis, Chronic Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Emphysema Emphysema |
Respiratory Tract Diseases Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Pathologic Processes Respiratory Tract Infections Infections Bronchial Diseases |