View clinical trials related to Asthma.
Filter by:The objective of this trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the administration of a depigmented and polymerized allergen extract Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in children with allergic asthma due to this mite
The purpose is to determine if: 1) Escitalopram treatment will be associated with less oral corticosteroid use than placebo in outpatients with severe asthma and moderate or severe major depressive disorder (MDD). 2) Escitalopram treatment will be associated with greater improvement in asthma symptoms than placebo in outpatients with severe asthma and moderate or severe MDD. 3) Escitalopram treatment will be associated with greater depressive symptom remission rates than placebo in outpatients with severe asthma and moderate or severe MDD.
This is a clinical study that is designed to study the effects of the supplemental intake of enriched omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil) in patients with moderate to severe asthma. Some asthmatics produce a large amount of inflammatory leukotriene proteins—proteins that contribute to wheezing and inflammation in the airway. Inhibiting the detrimental effects of leukotrienes is a key goal of controller therapy in severe asthmatics. Some asthmatic patients appear to have specific mutations of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) gene, one gene that regulates the production of the inflammatory leukotrienes. Omega-3 fatty acids can interfere with the arachidonic acid pathway and decrease the production of leukotrienes, and this may benefit moderate and severe asthma patients. Our hypothesis is that omega-3 fatty acid supplements, added on to a patient's asthma medication regimen, can decrease the number of minor asthma exacerbations compared to patients who do not receive the supplement. Furthermore, we believe that asthma patients with specific ALOX5 gene mutations will benefit most. We will enroll 30 asthma subjects to take part in this trial. They will undergo genotyping of the ALOX5 gene and be treated with omega3-fatty acids (fish oil) and placebo over a nine month period. We expect that this strategy will allow us to discover which moderate and severe asthma patients will benefit most from supplements of omega-3 fatty acids. Treatment of chronic diseases, such as asthma, is a key mission of the Center of Health and Nutrition Research.
Despite the development of effective medications for treatment, asthma remains a significant contributor of morbidity, mortality, and financial hardship to patients with the disease. An estimated 300 million people worldwide have asthma, making it one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Asthma accounts for 250,000 deaths per year worldwide, and 1.7 million emergency room visits per year in the United States. Cost of asthma in the United States was an estimated $12.7 billion dollars per year in 1998, and the prevalence is increasing. In 2002, there were 13.9 million outpatient asthma visits to private physician offices and hospital outpatient departments, and 484,000 asthma hospitalizations. Children 5-17 years of age missed 14.7 million school days, and adults missed 11.8 million work days due to asthma in 2002. There is no single diagnostic test or symptom that defines asthma. Asthma is a syndrome consisting of a constellation of symptoms that include wheeze, cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The diagnosis of asthma takes into account history, physical examination findings, and objective measures of pulmonary function and markers of inflammation. In many cases the diagnosis is not in question, allowing for early recognition and appropriate treatment. In other cases, confounding factors makes the diagnosis both challenging and time consuming for the physician and the patient. According to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 2, asthma is defined as: "a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role, in particular, mast cells, eosinophils, T lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells. In susceptible individuals, this inflammation causes recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early morning. These episodes are usually associated with widespread but variable airflow obstruction that is often reversible either spontaneously or with treatment. The inflammation also causes an associated increase in the existing bronchial hyperresponsiveness to a variety of stimuli." Airway obstruction and reversibility is measured by pulmonary function testing before and after inhalation of a short acting beta agonist. Airway hyperresponsiveness is measured by methacholine challenge. Estimates of asthma prevalence are generated by the use of written questionnaires in epidemiologic studies. , One of the difficulties with reliance on questionnaires is that patients often misinterpret the questions or fail to answer the question altogether. In this study, a physician will review the questionnaire with the patient in order to clarify each question. The goal in this study is to evaluate a simplified set of questions that can be easily implemented into clinical practice that will predict the presence or absence of asthma. Hypothesis A simplified questionnaire will predict asthma in adults. Study Objectives § Primary Objective o To evaluate the predictive value of a questionnaire designed to diagnose asthma in adults
In the United States there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are obese and in the number of people who have asthma. Both are considered serious public health concerns. Several studies have shown that becoming obese or overweight can increase the risk of developing asthma or can make asthma symptoms more severe and difficult to control. How obesity affects asthma is not fully understood. This research study will examine whether obesity affects the amount of inflammation that is present in the lungs of people with asthma, and will also examine whether obesity leads to narrow and stiff airways. Participation in this study involves 2 visits in order to complete questionnaires, various pulmonary function tests, as well as the collection of blood, urine, and exhaled breath condensate specimens. This research study includes optional genetic and bronchoscopy substudies.
Current research shows that obesity greatly increases the risk of developing asthma. Although the two conditions are clearly related, experts do not fully understand why they are linked. Some researchers believe that hormones released in the fat cells (adipokines) play a role. Others believe that excess weight pressing on the lungs triggers the hyperreactive response in the airways that is typical of asthma. The goal of the Asthma-Bariatric Surgery Study is to determine how weight loss affects lung function and various biological parameters. Bariatric (weight loss) surgery refers to the various surgical procedures performed to treat obesity. Specifically, this study is designed to answer the following questions: - Does bariatric surgery help patients control their asthma? - How much asthma control can be achieved through weight loss? - How does weight loss influence lung function? Participants in this observational research study will be asked to complete study visits at enrollment, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. Questionnaires, pulmonary function tests, and blood samples will be required at each time point. This research study is observational only; it does not cover the cost of (or provide) bariatric surgery. Optional genetic and bronchoscopy substudies are included as well.
Since 1980, the number of people in the United States diagnosed with asthma has increased dramatically. Studying what causes and triggers asthma is an important part of understanding and subsequently managing this disease. Although some have suggested that alcohol consumption may affect asthma, little is known about how consistent alcohol use affects the amount of inflammation present in the lungs and whether consistent alcohol use makes the airways more narrow and stiff. Participation in this study involves 2 visits in order to complete questionnaires, various pulmonary function tests, as well as the collection of blood, urine, and exhaled breath condensate specimens. This study includes optional genetic and bronchoscopy substudies.
Asthma is a common chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. This study utilizes the drug rosiglitazone (Avandia)to treat the effects of airway inflammation in patients with asthma. The study will be conducted on 14 adult steroid naive patients with asthma. Patients with qualifying pulmonary function testing values will be eligible for enrollment. Enrolled subjects will be treated with rosiglitazone orally at 2mg dose for 4 weeks. Patients will be reassessed and dosing will increase in 4 week increments up to 8mg.
This study is looking for allergic asthmatics. Lung and allergy testing will be done to verify. If qualified, blood will be drawn for laboratory studies.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of ciclesonide in patients with persistent asthma over 3 months, especially in the cold season. Ciclesonide will be inhaled by a metered-dose inhaler. The study will provide further data on safety and tolerability of ciclesonide.