Differential Mechanisms of Dyspnea Relief in Advanced COPD: Opiates vs. Bronchodilators
Differential Mechanisms of Dyspnea Relief in Advanced COPD: Opiates vs. Bronchodilators
Activity-related breathlessness (dyspnea) is the dominant symptom and persists despite
 optimal medical care in as many as 50% of patients with advanced chronic obstructive
 pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of this project is to determine the underlying
 mechanisms of the activity-related breathlessness in patients with advanced COPD. To study
 the different pathways involved in causing breathlessness, we will compare the effects of two
 treatments, opiates with oxygen versus bronchodilators, which relieve breathlessness in
 different ways.
Dyspnea arises during exercise in COPD patients when there is a mismatch between the
 ventilatory demand (largely dictated by chemical stimuli) and the capacity to respond to that
 demand (dictated by mechanical/muscular factors). Our preliminary studies have indicated that
 treatment with opioids in COPD patients can improve activity related dyspnea by reducing
 central respiratory neural drive and breathing frequency without a significant change in the
 respiratory mechanics. By contrast, a reduction in exertional dyspnea following inhaled
 bronchodilators in COPD was mainly related to an improved respiratory mechanics with
 increased inspiratory capacity, tidal volume, and inspiratory reserve volume etcetera. By
 comparing the physiological mechanisms of dyspnea relief during the opiate and bronchodilator
 therapy, we hope to gain new insights into the mechanisms of dyspnea in COPD by selectively
 manipulating inspiratory neural drive (nebulized opiates) and abnormal respiratory mechanics
 (nebulized bronchodilators) within the same individuals. As such, the primary objective of
 this study is to compare the effects of inhaled opiate with oxygen versus bronchodilator
 treatments on the intensity of dyspnea, electromyographic estimates of inspiratory neural
 drive and respiratory mechanics and their interactions during a standardized exercise test
 using a randomized, controlled, crossover design in patients with COPD.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) 30-79% predicted and
 FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%

 2. Clinically stable as defined by no changes in medication dosage or frequency of
 administration with no exacerbations or hospital admissions in the preceding 6 weeks

 3. Male or female ≥40 yrs of age

 4. Cigarette smoking history ≥20 pack-years

 5. Moderate-to-severe chronic activity-related dyspnea as defined by a modified MRC
 dyspnea scale ≥2, COPD Assessment Test score ≥10 or Baseline Dyspnea Index focal score
 ≤6 (47-49)

 6. Ability to perform all study procedures and provide/sign informed consent.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Women of childbearing age who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

 2. Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) value of <40 %predicted

 3. Active cardiopulmonary disease other than COPD that could contribute to dyspnea and
 exercise limitation

 4. History/clinical evidence of asthma, atopy and/or nasal polyps

 5. History of hypercapnic respiratory failure or a clinical diagnosis of sleep disordered
 breathing

 6. History of allergy or adverse response to fentanyl

 7. Important contraindications to clinical exercise testing, including inability to
 exercise because of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disease(s)

 8. Use of daytime oxygen or exercise-induced O2 desaturation to < 80% on room air

 9. Body mass index (BMI) <18.5 or ≥35.0 kg/m2

 10. Use of antidepressant drugs (i.e., monoamine oxidase inhibitors, serotonin reuptake
 inhibitors) in previous 2 weeks

 11. Use of opioid drugs (e.g., morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, codeine, etc.) in the
 previous 4 weeks.