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RecruitingNCT05008081Updated May 22, 2026

The CATALINA Study

An observational study in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation, sponsored by Wim Janssens. Recruiting at 22 sites in 11 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-22.

Sponsored by Wim Janssens · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Oct 2022; still recruiting 3 years 11 months later.
Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
1,000
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The CATALINA study is a prospective cohort study embedded within CICERO (Collaboration In COPD ExaceRbatiOns, a European Respiratory Society supported Clinical Research Collaboration), designed to collect standardised, longitudinal clinical data and biological samples in 20 centres across Europe and beyond.

Read the detailed description

The initial objective is to recruit 1000 patients hospitalised for an acute COPD exacerbation by the end of CICERO's first lifecycle (3 years), from whom 1 year follow-up data and biological samples will be collected. By doing so, CICERO aims to develop a comprehensive European COPD patient data- and biobank phenotyped in relation to the exacerbation, to support the development of future EU-wide clinical intervention trials in COPD for specific patient subgroups, as well as new prognostication tools for COPD exacerbations.

The clinical data and biological samples will be obtained during 6 scheduled study visits, during the hospitalization period of the index acute exacerbation as well as the outpatient setting after hospital discharge; and 3 additional unscheduled study visits should the patient be readmitted for respiratory reasons during study participation (i.e. first readmission only).

  • 3 study visits will be scheduled during the hospitalization period of the index acute exacerbation:

    • visit 1: within 48h of hospital admission, study inclusion (Day 1)
    • visit 2: at 72h after study inclusion (Day 3)
    • visit 3: at hospital discharge, at investigator's discretion (Day X)
  • 3 study visits will be scheduled during the outpatient setting:

    • visit 4: at 3 months after study inclusion (Day 90)
    • visit 5: at 6 months after study inclusion (Day 180)
    • visit 6: at 12 months after study inclusion (Day 365)
  • The first hospital readmission for respiratory reasons during the patient's study participation will undergo the same testing schedule as mandated during the hospitalization period of the index event:

    • unscheduled visit 1: within 48h of first hospital readmission
    • unscheduled visit 2: within 72h of first hospital readmission
    • unscheduled visit 3: at hospital discharge for first hospital readmission

Resulting from CICERO's future lifecycles will be the continued expansion of the data- and bio-bank, both in cohort size and duration of follow-up.

02

Conditions studied

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation

Keywords

  • COPD
  • Exacerbation
  • Hospitalization
03

In context

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

4,131 studies on the registry are indexed under Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; 697 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 1,000 is above the median of 180 across 1,066 observational studies indexed under Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive.

Browse Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive studies →

Lead sponsor

Wim Janssens is the lead sponsor of 4 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Patients with COPD, hospitalized for an acute exacerbation

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 years and older
  • Established diagnosis of COPD by medical doctor (based on clinical history OR pulmonary function test with an FEV1/FVC \< 0.7)
  • Current hospitalization with suspicion of an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD)
  • Inclusion within 48 hours post hospital admission
  • Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or his/her representative obtained prior to any study procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures
  • Patients not requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics or both as a minimum therapy for the index AECOPD
  • Patients with a confirmed positive test result for COVID19, or those highly suspected based on clinical examination
05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
1,000 participants (estimated)
Target follow-up
1 Year
Patient registry
Yes
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. All-cause mortality

    Death from any cause

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

Secondary outcomes

  1. Step-up in hospital care for respiratory reasons

    A composite outcome measure defined as: 1. New hospitalization for respiratory reasons 2. Hospital care intensification from baseline (ie. within 24h from hospital admission) for respiratory reasons, including: * 2.1 Non-invasive respiratory therapy (oxygen by mask or nasal flow) * 2.2 Non-invasive respiratory therapy (oxygen by NIV or high flow) * 2.3 Invasive respiratory therapy (intubation and mechanical ventilation) * 2.4 Physiological support with inotropes

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  2. Treatment intensification for respiratory reasons

    A composite outcome measure defined as: 1. Prolongation of systemic corticosteroids \>5 days administered for the index acute exacerbation or first readmission for respiratory reasons 2. Upgrade of antibiotics administered for the index exacerbation or first readmission for respiratory reasons 3. New course of systemic corticosteroids for respiratory reasons 4. New course of antibiotics for respiratory reasons

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  3. Treatment failure

    A composite outcome measure defined as: 1. All-cause mortality 2. Step-up in hospital care for respiratory reasons 3. Treatment intensification for respiratory reasons

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  4. Severe treatment failure

    As intensification of drug treatment regimens and treatment intensifications are country/region-specific and not always related to failure of disease control, severe treatment failure (STF) will be defined as the composite of: 1. All-cause mortality 2. Step-up in hospital care for respiratory reasons

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  5. Readmission for a severe COPD exacerbation

    Readmission of the patient to the hospital for a severe COPD exacerbation

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  6. New hospitalization for respiratory reasons

    New admission of the patient to the hospital for respiratory reasons

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  7. Hospital care intensification for respiratory reasons

    A composite outcome measure defined as: 1. Non-invasive respiratory therapy (oxygen by mask or nasal flow) 2. Non-invasive respiratory therapy (oxygen by NIV or high flow) 3. Invasive respiratory therapy (intubation and mechanical ventilation) 4. Physiological support with inotropes

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  8. Time to

    The time to the following outcomes will be measured: 1. All-cause mortality 2. First hospital readmission for respiratory reasons 3. Hospital care intensification for respiratory reasons 4. Treatment intensification for respiratory reasons 5. Treatment failure 6. Severe treatment failure

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  9. Number of participants with a new or changed Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) code

    The implementation of a new or changed DNR code during study participation will be measured. * DNR 0: do not restrict therapy (i.e. explicit statement not to withhold any life-sustaining interventions) * DNR 1: do not resuscitate, further specified as: DNR 1a: No CPR DNR 1b: No CPR + no intubation + NIV to be considered * DNR 2: do not extend therapy (i.e. no CPR + no intubation + no NIV) * DNR 3: discontinue therapy (i.e. no CPR + no intubation + no NIV + withdrawal of current treatment°) Abbreviations: CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; NIV, non-invasive ventilation; °, treatment of disabling symptoms to be prioritised, however, no life-prolonging interventions are to be continued

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  10. Cumulative dose of systemic corticosteroids

    The total dose of systemic corticosteroids administered during study participation will be measured.

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  11. Total days in hospital

    Total number of days spent in a hospital during study participation will be measured.

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  12. Change in modified Medical Research Council (mMRC): a dyspnea scale

    The change in the following patient reported outcome measures (PROM) will be measured: modified Medical Research Council (mMRC): a dyspnea scale * scale: 0 to 4 * interpretation: higher scores indicate worse outcome

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  13. Change in COPD Assessment Test (CAT): a COPD impact scale

    The change in the following patient reported outcome measures (PROM) will be measured: COPD Assessment Test (CAT): a COPD impact scale * scale: 0 to 40 * interpretation: higher scores indicate worse outcome

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  14. Change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): a depression scale

    The change in the following patient reported outcome measures (PROM) will be measured: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): a depression scale * scale: 0 to 29 * interpretation: higher scores indicate worse outcome

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  15. Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7): an anxiety scale

    The change in the following patient reported outcome measures (PROM) will be measured: Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7): a anxiety scale * scale: 0 to 21 * interpretation: higher scores indicate worse outcome

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  16. Change in patient reported experience measure (PREM)

    The change in the following PREM will be measured: 1\. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS): measuring patients' perceptions of their hospital experience -interpretation: higher scores indicate better outcome

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  17. Change in comorbidities

    Changes in baseline comorbidies (ie. the appearance of new or worsening of existing) will be measured

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  18. Change in biomarker Eotaxin-3 (CCL26)

    Eotaxin-3 is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family (called CCL26, Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 26). Eotaxin-3 is chemotactic for eosinophils and basophils and elicits its effects by binding to the cell surface chemokine receptor CCR3.

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  19. Change in biomarker IL-5

    Interleukin-5 (IL-5) acts on mature eosinophils, leading to proliferation, activation, differentiation, and survival; playing a critical role in the host immune response to infections.

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  20. Change in biomarker IL-33

    Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is described as an inducer of type 2 immune responses, activating T helper 2 cells and mast cells.

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  21. Change in biomarker MCP-4 (CCL13)

    Monocyte chemotactic protein 4 (MCP-4), also called CCL13, is a major chemo-attractant for eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and T lymphocytes

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  22. Change in biomarker TARC4 (CCL17)

    Thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC), also known as CCL17, is a chemokine that induces chemotaxis of Type 2 T helper (Th2) cells.

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  23. Change in biomarker IP-10 (CXCL10)

    Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10 (CXCL10)) chemoattracts Th1 lymphocytes and monocytes, and inhibits cytokine-stimulated hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation.

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  24. Change in biomarker IL1A

    Interleukin 1 alpha (IL1A) stimulates the activity of genes involved in inflammation and immunity

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  25. Change in biomarker IL-8

    Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells, airway smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells; which attracts and activates neutrophils in inflammatory regions

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

  26. Change in biomarker GM-CSF

    Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) regulates proliferation and/or activation of monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils

    Time frame: Will be assessed during 1 year, on visits 2-6

07

Study locations

10 of 22 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 22, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05008081
Lead sponsor
Wim Janssens
Collaborators
European Respiratory Society, AstraZeneca, Roche Pharma AG, GlaxoSmithKline
Responsible party
Wim Janssens (MD, PhD, KU Leuven) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Aug 17, 2021
Start date
Oct 25, 2022
Primary completion
Mar 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Mar 2028 (estimated)
Last update
May 22, 2026

Study contacts

Kristina Vermeersch, PhD
Contact
kristina.vermeersch@kuleuven.be
016342284 ext. +32
Amber Beersaerts
Contact
amber.beersaerts@kuleuven.be
016338928 ext. +32
Wim Janssens, MD, PhD
study chair · UZ/KU Leuven - Belgium
Mona Bafadhel, MD, PhD
study chair · King's College London - UK

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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