START CARE Asthma Study
WHat is this study about?
With the START CARE study we are comparing two different ways of treating asthma to find out which one is better at preventing asthma exacerbations in tamariki.
· A separate preventer (Flixotide, Serotide or Symbicort) taken every day and reliever (Ventolin or Respigen) taken when needed; OR
· A single combined preventer and reliever inhaler (Symbicort) taken when needed and/or every day
The inhalers being used are called “Turbuhalers”, they are breath activated and do not require a spacer like the most common inhalers currently used. During the first visit we teach your child how to use the Turbuhaler and make sure that they can use it safely. At the second visit if their asthma is stable your child will be given one of the treatments (decided at random) to take for one year.
If your child’s asthma is bad, or they have an asthma exacerbation, we might want to increase the amount of the study inhaler(s) they are taking.
During the study, we will meet with each participant and their whanau 6 times. We will ask questions about their asthma and perform some breathing tests.
All study medication is provided free-of-charge during the study and parents will be reimbursed for their travel expenses.
Who can take part?
For your child to take part, they must:
1. Be between 5 years and 11 years old
2. Have an asthma diagnosis
3. Currently use a separate preventer (such as Flixotide, Seretide or Symbicort) and reliever (such as Ventolin or Respigen). If they are only taking a reliever inhaler at the moment but have used a preventer in the last six months, then they may still be able to take part.
Who can’t take part?
This study isn’t suitable for everyone. Your child would not be able to take part if they:
1. Are already using Symbicort for both their preventer and reliever inhalers
2. Have ever been admitted to the intensive care unit
3. Have a serious medical condition such as Cystic Fibrosis or Bronchiectasis
Where is the study taking place?
The following sites are currently recruiting:
|
Region |
Site |
Address |
Contact |
|
Wellington |
P3 Research Kāpiti |
44A Ihakara Street, Paraparaumu 5032 |
Sonja Dreyer
|
|
MRINZ Lower Hutt |
Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre, 729 High Street, Boulcott, Lower Hutt 5010 |
Tasmin Barry
|
|
|
MRINZ Wellington |
Wellington Regional Hospital, 49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021 |
Tasmin Barry
|
|
|
Tasman |
SCT Tasman |
469 Main Road, Stoke, Nelson 7011 |
Sarah Aldridge
|
|
Dunedin |
P3 Research Dunedin |
Unit 2/401 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 |
Melanie Gaffaney
|
|
Palmerston North |
P3 Research Palmerston North |
273 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North |
Kirsten Moffitt
|
|
Hawke’s Bay |
P3 Research Hawke’s Bay |
205 Hastings Street South, Hastings 4122 |
Michelle Gare
|
|
Tauranga |
P3 Research Tauranga |
Suite 11, Promed House, 71 Tenth Avenue, Tauranga |
Elizabeth Blankenaar
|
|
Waikato |
Lakeland Clinical Trials Waikato |
Unit I, 6 Avalon Drive Nawton, Hamilton, Waikato 3200 |
Greg Thorne
|
We will be adding further sites around the country. If you are interested but there is not a site near you listed above, please email [email protected] for more information
Learn more / enquire
To learn more or enquire about taking part in this study, please fill out the enquiry form below, or email the contact at your nearest site in the table above.
Ethics: Approved by the Northern B Health and Disability Ethics Committee (2022 FULL 13221).