Asthma

Childhood Asthma Prevention Study
(Professor Guy Marks)

The Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS) is a randomised control trial designed to test the effectiveness of a house dust mite reduction intervention and a diet intervention involving supplementing a child’s diet with omega 3 fatty acids, both separately and in combination, on the presence of asthma and allergic diseases. Results to-date suggest that neither house dust mite avoidance nor omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had a beneficial effect in reducing the risk that children will develop asthma or allergy in the first five years. The researchers are currently undertaking a fourth clinical assessment on the cohort at age eight years because it is possible that the benefits of the measures taken in early life may not become apparent until this time. Eight year assessments are due to be completed in January 2008

Asthma in the Elderly
(Dr Jodie Simpson / Professor Peter Gibson)

This project will characterise clinical and inflammatory features of older subjects with airway disease. We are specifically investigating sputum inflammatory phenotype, eNO levels and bacterial colonisation in this group. A characterisation study is also underway, to examine patient preferences with a range of available techniques to assess airway parameters (FENO, Sputum, DLCO, Blood collection) in order to inform which non-invasive techniques are preferred by the elderly.

There is potential for this work to overlap with the research translation component of the CCRE in the area of multidisciplinary demonstration clinics. For example, the work being conducted to develop a decision tool for guiding therapy for obstructive airway disease in the elderly could be expended to incorporate noninvasive markers, and the planned RCTs in these respective areas combined .