Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital takes a lead role in asthma research
Researchers from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital are taking part in a national study that could identify a new treatment for people with asthma.
Most patients with asthma are well-controlled with inhaled therapy which is well tolerated and has few side effects. However, a minority of asthma patients continue to suffer from symptoms and flare-ups in their asthma despite these treatments. This group of patients have a reduced quality of life due to symptoms, reduced exercise capacity, the occasional need for unplanned and urgent medical treatment and side-effects from oral steroids and other medications.
Based on successful short-term studies in patients with asthma, the AMAZES study will recruit over 400 patients from centres in Perth, Newcastle, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. Researchers are inviting non-smoking adults who currently take asthma medication but still have symptoms, to participate in the study. The study is funded by the National health and Medical Research Council.
“Current asthma medications target airway inflammation but not all types of inflammation respond fully. A small study of 45 people has shown that macrolide antibiotics can reduce certain types of inflammation and improve quality of life for people with persistent asthma,” said Associate Professor Alan James, a Respiratory Specialist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. “In the AMAZES study, we will look at the effect of a macrolide antibiotic on the frequency of asthma attacks, as well as how it can modify inflammation and improve quality of life. This larger study will help us to determine the usefulness and safety of this new approach in the treatment of asthma, especially the effects on asthma exacerbations (flare-ups).”
Participation will involve taking a macrolide antibiotic medication or placebo, in addition to current asthma medication, and visits to the clinic at the Department of Pulmonary Physiology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for breathing tests.
If you are interested in taking part in this study contact Ms Peta Grayson from the AMAZES clinical team on (08) 9346 2888 or by email: Peta.Grayson@health.wa.gov.au.