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:

Be between 5 years and 11 years old
Have an asthma diagnosis
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:

Are already using Symbicort for both their preventer and reliever inhalers
Have ever been admitted to the intensive care unit
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 [email protected]
	MRINZ Lower Hutt	Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre, 729 High Street, Boulcott, Lower Hutt 5010	Tasmin Barry [email protected]
	MRINZ Wellington	Wellington Regional Hospital, 49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021	Tasmin Barry [email protected]
Tasman	SCT Tasman	469 Main Road, Stoke, Nelson 7011	Sarah Aldridge [email protected]
Dunedin	P3 Research Dunedin	Unit 2/401 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016	Melanie Gaffaney [email protected]
Palmerston North	P3 Research Palmerston North	273 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North	Kirsten Moffitt [email protected]
Hawke’s Bay	P3 Research Hawke’s Bay	205 Hastings Street South, Hastings 4122	Michelle Gare [email protected]
Tauranga	P3 Research Tauranga	Suite 11, Promed House, 71 Tenth Avenue, Tauranga	Elizabeth Blankenaar [email protected]
Waikato	Lakeland Clinical Trials Waikato	Unit I, 6 Avalon Drive Nawton, Hamilton, Waikato 3200	Greg Thorne [email protected]

Enquire for more information

Thank you for your interest, recruitment for this study is now complete.

For any questions you can contact the START CARE team via phone: (04) 805 0201 or email: [email protected].

Ethics: Approved by the Northern B Health and Disability Ethics Committee (2022 FULL 13221).