RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07059637

Implementation of a Sarcopenia Clinic to Diagnose and Treat Skeletal Muscle Loss Due to COPD

Sponsor

The Cleveland Clinic

Enrollment

80 participants

Start Date

Oct 10, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Sarcopenia COPD Emphysema

Summary

Sarcopenia, or skeletal muscle loss, impacts up to 40% of COPD patients and is a major cause for morbidity and mortality. Despite the high clinical significance of sarcopenia in COPD, the diagnosis remains elusive because accurate measures of skeletal muscle are not tested during routine clinical care. The goal is to use evidence-based strategies to diagnose and treat sarcopenia due to COPD. The multidisciplinary team includes a pulmonologist, pharmacist, COPD nurse, and COPD coordinator. The investigators anticipate that the approach will improve clinical outcomes for COPD patients with sarcopenia as compared to standard of care visits in ambulatory COPD clinics. The investigators will determine if the approach improves skeletal muscle mass and function, and also improves clinical outcomes related to frequency of hospitalization or ED (Emergency Department) visits, COPD exacerbations, and mortality.

Eligibility

Min Age: 40 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is implementing a specialized clinic to identify and treat muscle loss (sarcopenia) in people hospitalized for a COPD (chronic lung disease) flare-up. Sarcopenia — the loss of muscle mass and strength — is common in COPD and worsens outcomes, but is often overlooked in hospital care. **You may be eligible if...** - You are over 40 years old - You are hospitalized primarily because of a COPD flare-up (or COPD is a major secondary diagnosis) - A CT scan done during your hospital stay shows low muscle mass - You have been formally diagnosed with COPD confirmed by breathing tests showing significant airway obstruction - You have smoked at least 10 pack-years in your lifetime **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have other lung diseases (such as interstitial lung disease or asthma) as your primary condition - You are being evaluated or listed for a lung transplant - You have active cancer - You have severe heart failure, end-stage kidney disease on dialysis, or cirrhosis of the liver Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

OTHERMultidisciplinary clinic evaluation

The goal is to use evidence-based strategies to diagnose and treat sarcopenia due to COPD. The investigators anticipate that the approach will improve clinical outcomes for COPD patients with sarcopenia as compared to standard of care visits in ambulatory COPD clinics. The investigators will determine if the approach improves skeletal muscle mass and function, and also improves clinical outcomes related to frequency of hospitalizations, COPD exacerbations, or mortality. The approach is different than standard of care COPD treatment because it is informed by quantifying muscle mass and strength (through handgrip strength and bio-impedance) and have strong collaborations with nutrition and pulmonary rehabilitation.

OTHERCOPD standard of care

Standard COPD care treatment in an ambulatory post-hospital follow up clinic