Role of Clopidogrel in Preventing Exacerbations in Patients With Severe COPD: An Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a debilitating respiratory disorder characterized by gradual and progressive airflow limitation. It has been hypothesized that clopidogrel may have a role in reducing the exacerbation of COPD by reducing thromboembolic events. Several observational studies have found that taking clopidogrel reduces the likelihood of COPD exacerbations in patients with the disease. The study being conducted will be a randomized control trial, from March 2023 to March 2024 in the department of pulmonology, LRH. The aim of the study is to determine the role of clopidogrel in reducing the frequency of exacerbation in COPD patients compared to controls. The sampling will be done by non-probability consecutive sampling and the patients will be randomly allocated in study and control groups. Both the groups will be followed at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months of the treatment and will be compared for the outcomes.
• Patients diagnosed with severe COPD (GOLD stage III or IV based on FEV1)
• Patients with a history of at least one exacerbation in the past year.
• Patients who are able to understand and provide informed consent.
• Patients willing and able to comply with the study protocol and attend follow-up visits.
• Patients who are between the ages of 40 and 80 years.
• Either gender