View clinical trials related to Asthma.
Filter by:Combined inhaled treatment with long acting adrenergics and steroids in an unique inhaler plays an important role in the management of non-mild asthma. Some studies have demonstrated that the use of spacers achieve better lung deposition and decrease the number of side effects. Recently a new combined treatment for asthma has been developed (extrafine formoterol plus beclomethasone dipropionate). The small size of the extrafine particles of this new combination get the small airway and theorically improve their positive effect. Some authors have stated that the use of a spacer with extrafine particle could decrease the effectiveness of this treatment due to the adhesion of particles on the walls of the spacer because of the electrostatic characteristics of plastic spacers. However, there are no clinical or functional studies demonstrating the role of this phenomena in the control of asthmatic patients. The investigators' hypothesis is that the benefit of using spacers with this new treatment is at least equal in magnitude than the loss of efficacy because of the adhesion of particles on the wall of the spacer and then the investigators hypothesized that the use of spacer with extrafine formoterol-beclomethasone do not suppose a decrease in clinical or functional control in stable moderate-severe asthma patients.
The purpose of this study is: - To define The differences of bio-chemical phenotypes in chronic airway inflammatory diseases. - To identify novel biomarkers in chronic airway inflammatory diseases as a screening, diagnostic, or monitoring marker.
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic inflammatory airway diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are by far the most effective treatment with a broad anti-inflammatory spectrum. Nevertheless, most COPD patients and a proportion of severe asthma patients are corticosteroid-resistant (CR) and to fail to respond to ICS even when higher doses are given. These corticosteroid-resistant patients suffer from persistent symptoms and repeated asthma exacerbations. It has been suggested that smoking and oxidative stress may induce corticosteroid-resistance. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for oxidative stress can be generated exogenously (air pollutants, cigarette smoke) and endogenously by metabolic reactions. After inhaling air pollutants or cigarette smoke, the bronchial epithelium is exposed. Preliminary data from our own lab suggest that smoking and oxidative stress may decrease epithelial cell-cell contact formation. This results not only in a decreased barrier function, but also in an increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators.
Study No.001 about Budesonide/Formoterol use in ASthMA sponsored by Agenzia Italiana del FArmaco (Italian Drug Agency) (AIFA-ASMA-BF-001) The aim of the study is to verify whether asthma not controlled by low doses inhaled corticosteroids, thus in need for step up therapy, can be equally controlled by guidelines recommended regular bid treatment with long acting beta agonist/inhaled corticosteroid (ICS/LABA) combination or the symptom driven use of an ICS/LABA combination in the absence of maintenance therapy. The study is designed to be able to evaluate the non inferiority of regular placebo plus prn inhaled budesonide/formoterol (experimental treatment) versus regular, twice daily 160/4.5 mcg inhaled budesonide/formoterol combination plus prn inhaled terbutaline (guidelines recommended treatment).
Smoking induces an inflammatory reaction in the airways which can ultimately result in persistent damage and the development of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, not all subjects who smoke end up with COPD. After long-term smoking, approximately 20% of subjects develop COPD. At this time, it is unclear why some subjects develop COPD, whereas others maintain a normal lung function. In addition, smoking has important consequences in asthma. Patients with asthma who smoke have a more severe asthma and more often experience an asthma exacerbation. In addition, it has been shown that inhaled corticosteroids are less effective in smoking asthmatics. With this research project, the researchers will investigate the effects of smoking on the airways. To this end, the researchers will compare markers of airway inflammation, lung function and symptoms between healthy smokers and non-smokers of varying age. In addition, the researchers will compare those healthy subjects with patients with asthma and COPD which are characterized in earlier studies.
The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of Hyperpolarized Helium-3 gas in MR imaging in COPD, asthmatics, CF and healthy volunteers.
The goal of this research is to use Helium-3 MRI to see the changes in airflow of the lungs at different times of an attack. These three stages are immediately after the attack, 1 month later and 4-6 months later.
The overall aim of this research project is to test the effectiveness of an integrative program, using journaling, yoga breathing instruction, and nutritional manipulation and supplementation, on quality of life and clinical outcomes in adults with asthma. An additional aim is to determine whether an integrative approach to asthma management leads to cost savings when compared to standard clinical care.Patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention condition or a waitlist control condition. For the intervention group, all measures will be obtained at baseline, immediately after the treatment protocol is completed, and then at three month and six month intervals after the completion of the intervention. For the control group, data will be collected at the same times as the intervention group, with one exception: data collected at the completion of the treatment protocol will be replaced with data collection at six weeks post-baseline for the control group. Data will be collected using measures of quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and SF-12), pulmonary function and health care utilization and expenditures. Participants assigned to the treatment group will begin in groups of ten. The treatment protocol will consist of six 1-2 hour sessions over a six-week period as follows: 1. Subjects will attend a two-session class on healthy eating focused on reducing inflammation-promoting foods in the diet. All subjects will also be started on fish oil and vitamin C supplements, as well as on a supplement called Kaprex, which is an extract from hops and rosemary with anti-inflammatory action. Supplements willl be provided free of charge. Subjects will be provided with a take home supply to begin using. 2. Subjects will attend two classes at CCHH in yoga breathing techniques and will then be provided with a CD for home study and practice 3. Subjects will attend two guided journaling sessions at CCHH in which subjects will be asked to write for a 30-minute period about the most traumatic or stressful life experience to date.
Treatment, Randomised, Double Blind, Parallel Assignment, Safety/efficacy Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate, comparatively to a placebo, the activity of oral AB1010, administered at three dose levels during 4 months to patients with severe persistent corticosteroid dependent asthma, assessed on : - the decrease in corticosteroid therapy - the asthma control improvement (symptomatic scores, rescue medication intake, respiratory function) - the pharmacokinetic profile of AB1010 - clinical and biological safety parameters