Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease in Qatar: an Interventional Study to Reduce Blood Pressure

Launched by WEILL CORNELL MEDICAL COLLEGE IN QATAR · Jun 5, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether using portable air cleaners in homes can help lower air pollution levels and improve blood pressure in people living in Qatar with mild high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Specifically, the study will look at how these air cleaners affect fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and overall health over a period of four weeks.

To participate, you need to be between 18 and 60 years old, a non-smoker, and living in your own home in Qatar. You should have mild high blood pressure (with numbers between 130 and 159 mm Hg) and meet at least two additional health criteria related to metabolic syndrome, such as having a larger waist size or high blood sugar levels. Participants in the study will be monitored for changes in their blood pressure and other health markers while using the air cleaners. It's important to note that certain health conditions, recent medication changes, or living with a smoker could make you ineligible for this trial.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Non-smokers (100% abstinence from use of any smoking or vaping product during the prior year)
• • Age ≥18 and less than 60 years old
• • Living in a single residence (home, apartment) located anywhere in Qatar
• * Mild systolic hypertension: screening visit systolic BP 130 to 159 mm Hg (off treatment or taking ≤ 2 BP medications that have been stable without changes during prior 4 weeks) plus ≥ 2 more additional criteria for the metabolic syndrome:
• • Waist circumference ≥102 cm if male and ≥88 cm if female
• • Fasting triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (or taking a triglyceride-lowering medication)
• • HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dL if male and ≤ 50 mg/dL if female (or taking an HDL-raising medication),
• • Fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnancy (self-reported)
• • Screening visit urine positive for cotinine (NicAlert \>100 ng/mL)
• • Living with an active smoker who smokes indoors (by self-report)
• • High risk conditions that prohibit allowing home BP to be \>130/80 mm Hg during the10-week trial including any cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, prior stroke, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysm) or ≥ stage 3 kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate \< 60 ml/min)
• • A medical condition placing the participant at risk from participation (per investigators)
• • Expected overnight travel outside their residence during the study
• • HEPA filter within the air conditioners of the residence (self-reported) or individual use of HEPA filter
• • Unable to comprehend/sign an informed consent
• • Lung disease requiring oxygen
• • Cancer receiving treatment
• • Screening visit: BP ≥160/100 mm Hg or fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL and confirmed diabetes with follow-up HbA1c ≥6.5%. If glucose is elevated ≥126 mg/dL but HbA1c\<6.5%, they could still participate.
• • Medication changes in past 4 weeks. If participants are on medications for high BP or hyperlipidemia, they will need to have had stable therapy during prior 10 weeks with no planned changes during the study
• • Left upper arm circumference \>17 inches as this will make BP levels inaccurate with the home monitor used
• • Acute illness or infectious symptoms within the prior 4 weeks.