University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is looking for children aged 6 to 11 years old with asthma to test a new inhaler that could improve control and help reduce attacks.
The new inhaler would be a combination inhaler which is currently used in older children and adults. Asthma symptoms and attacks are normally treated with two inhalers, where one briefly opens the airways, and the other prevents another attack. The combination inhaler contains both a long-lasting reliever and preventer steroid medicine, which aims to relieve immediate symptoms and deal with underlying inflammation.
Francesca Diaz, UHD Child Health Research Nurse, said: “This treatment option is not currently available to children under 12 due to insufficient existing clinical trial data. In this study, we will compare the effectiveness, safety and cost effectiveness of the combo inhaler compared to current treatments, and we have had positive feedback from children currently on the trial.”
After an initial screening visit via phone, children will be randomly assigned to two groups; the ‘Intervention’ (change to the combo inhaler), or ‘Control’ (use their current inhaler(s). Children and parents will then be invited to attend four visits in total over 12 months. The first and last visits will be in person at Poole Hospital’s Children’s Outpatient Department. Follow-up visits are at four and eight months, which can be done over the phone.