Recruiting patients for any clinical trial presents challenges, but chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical studies are especially difficult. From diagnostic gaps to physical limitations and socioeconomic barriers, the COPD patient population is one of the most complex to enroll and retain in clinical research.
Despite these obstacles, there are actionable steps sponsors can take to improve COPD patient recruitment outcomes. While strategic site selection remains a critical factor, it starts with sponsor-led decisions that prioritize patient accessibility and reduce friction from the start.
COPD is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet it’s widely underdiagnosed. Many patients who qualify for clinical research opportunities are either unaware of their diagnosis or misclassified, making them hard to reach through traditional recruitment channels.
Even when identified, COPD patients often face:
Layered on top of that are rigid or overly complex study designs that inadvertently exclude otherwise viable participants. It’s a perfect storm for delayed COPD clinical study enrollment.
The challenges are notable, but sponsors are not powerless. Proactive planning in the design and management of a COPD clinical study can make a big difference in recruitment outcomes.
In an effort to control variability, some studies overcorrect, excluding patients with mild comorbidities or minor functional limitations. But in COPD, comorbidities are the norm, not the exception.
Sponsors should evaluate whether exclusion criteria are truly necessary for safety or data integrity—or if they’re unintentionally limiting access to a representative patient population.
COPD is a variable disease, with symptom severity fluctuating daily. Pulmonary function testing is affected not only by airflow restriction but also by patient fatigue—especially when medications must be withheld. Sponsors should account for this variability and allow repeat spirometry testing when initial attempts are unsuccessful due to fatigue or poor technique, rather than disqualifying potentially eligible patients based on a single, unrepresentative effort.
Protocol design should reflect the reality of living with COPD. Sponsors can increase enrollment and retention by:
Beyond enrollment, designing protocols around patients also supports retention. Fewer dropouts translates into improved trial quality and speed.
In COPD clinical studies, unnecessary complexity can slow recruitment. Lengthy informed consent documents, multiple screening steps, or dense eDiary requirements can overwhelm patients.
Consider a scenario where participants are asked to complete daily electronic symptom logs with branching logic and multiple rating scales. For many, especially older adults, this level of detail can become a barrier to enrollment or ongoing compliance.
Simplifying forms, using intuitive technology, and focusing on essential endpoints can make participation more accessible without compromising study integrity.
While sponsors can control many aspects of a COPD clinical study, from protocol design to eligibility criteria, site selection plays an equally vital role in recruitment success.
A strong clinical trial site actively contributes to faster, more effective patient recruitment by maintaining relationships, building trust, and staying engaged with the community it serves.
Sites with a large, permissioned database of COPD and respiratory patients can identify qualified participants faster, reaching out to individuals already pre-screened or previously involved in research.
Dr. Edward Cordasco, a pulmonologist and physician at Remington-Davis, highlights the power of this kind of long-standing patient engagement:
“In our COPD population of patients, we have thousands that we can call upon and at least look through their information because they've been involved in a number of studies—sometimes for over 25 years.”
While speeding up recruitment, this level of history and familiarity with study participation also reduces screen failure and supports retention over time.
Reaching the right patients for COPD clinical studies means having a consistent presence in the community as well. Leading sites invest in on-the-ground outreach by attending health fairs, visiting senior centers, and engaging local organizations. Some, like RDI, even host events on-site to introduce research opportunities in an approachable, educational setting — with the added benefit of free healthcare testing.
This kind of outreach raises awareness about clinical research and brings in volunteers who may not be reached through traditional advertising.
Together, these capabilities—a broad, research-ready patient base and a genuine connection to the community—give sponsors a recruitment edge that few strategies can match.
COPD clinical study recruitment is never simple. But in thoughtfully designing protocols that meet patients where they are, as well as partnering with research sites that have the infrastructure, community presence, and patient database to deliver, sponsors can keep studies on track and bring therapies to market faster.
If your trial success hinges on faster enrollment and long-term retention, the right planning and partnerships can make all the difference. At Remington-Davis, we’re proud to support sponsors with the reach and experience to make recruitment challenges more manageable.
To learn more about how we can support your needs, schedule a consultation with us.