The purpose of this K23 proposal is to prepare the candidate to become an independent investigator, able to design, conduct, and acquire funding for, high-quality clinical trials that focus on measuring and improving outcomes and quality of care for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Lung Cancer. During the proposed study period, career development activities will include (1) one-on-one mentoring, (2) development and conduct of a research project, (3) presentation and publication of research findings, and (4) course work leading to a Masters degree in epidemiology. The candidate proposes a research project that will focus on demonstrating a novel approach for decreasing pulmonary complications and hospital stay after lung cancer resection, a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Decreasing the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) will allow more patients to safely undergo and recover from surgery, currently the most effective treatment for lung cancer. Currently, the only intervention shown to decrease the incidence of post-operative pulmonary complications is smoking cessation. Independent predictors of pulmonary complications after lung resection are all consequences of COPD. Eighty percent of patients with lung cancer have COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been shown to effectively reduce symptoms, exacerbations and duration of hospitalization in COPD. The research proposal and specific aim of this K award includes a randomized controlled trial (exercise versus usual care) that will examine the effects of four weeks of preoperative upper and lower extremity endurance training on postoperative pulmonary complications and hospital stay after lung cancer resection in patients with COPD and moderate to high operative risk. It will evaluate functional capacity three month after discharge. It is hypothesized that four weeks of preoperative exercise training, when compared to usual care, will (1) decrease the number of hospital days, (2) result in significantly fewer intensive care and ventilator days, (3) decrease the incidence of major postoperative pulmonary complications, including pneumonia, respiratory failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation, atelectasis, and (4) improve recovery to active life.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
7K23CA106544-02
Application #
7228032
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Ojeifo, John O
Project Start
2005-09-30
Project End
2010-08-31
Budget Start
2006-01-01
Budget End
2006-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$105,936
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Benzo, Roberto; Siemion, Wendy; Novotny, Paul et al. (2013) Factors to inform clinicians about the end of life in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Pain Symptom Manage 46:491-499.e4
Benzo, Roberto (2011) Lung volume reduction surgery: nonpharmacological approach. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 24:44-8
Benzo, Roberto; Wigle, Dennis; Novotny, Paul et al. (2011) Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation before lung cancer resection: results from two randomized studies. Lung Cancer 74:441-5
Garófoli, Adrian; Montoya, Paula; Elías, Carlos et al. (2010) [Exercise and the detection of severe acute mountain sickness]. Medicina (B Aires) 70:3-7
Troosters, Thierry; Sciurba, Frank; Battaglia, Salvatore et al. (2010) Physical inactivity in patients with COPD, a controlled multi-center pilot-study. Respir Med 104:1005-11
Benzo, Roberto P; Sciurba, Frank C (2010) Oxygen consumption, shuttle walking test and the evaluation of lung resection. Respiration 80:19-23
Benzo, Roberto P; Chang, Chung-Chou H; Farrell, Max H et al. (2010) Physical activity, health status and risk of hospitalization in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respiration 80:10-8
Benzo, Roberto; Farrell, Max H; Chang, Chung-Chou H et al. (2009) Integrating health status and survival data: the palliative effect of lung volume reduction surgery. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 180:239-46
Benzo, Roberto (2009) Activity monitoring in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 29:341-7
Sivori, Martin; Almeida, Marta; Benzo, Roberto et al. (2008) [New argentine consensus of respiratory rehabilitation 2008] Medicina (B Aires) 68:325-44

Showing the most recent 10 out of 14 publications