A Study to Determine the Clinical Characteristics, Comorbidities, Treatment Status and Exacerbations of Asthma Patients

Asthma Clinical Trial

Official title:

A 3 Year Longitudinal Study of the Level of Asthma Control and Treatment of Asthma Patients in Hong Kong

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03239431
• Other study ID #: CREC 2017.336
• Status: Recruiting
• Start date: September 15, 2017
• Est. completion date: January 31, 2022

Study information

• Verified date: January 2019
• Source: Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Contact: Ka Pang Chan, MBChB
• Phone: 852 3505 3396
• Email: chankapang[@]gmail.com
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Clinical Trial Summary

This is a prospective cohort study that aims to determine the current demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, treatment status and exacerbations of asthma patients.

The primary objective of this study is to determine the current demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, treatment status and exacerbations of asthma patients.

The secondary objectives include: (1) to review the current practices of symptom control assessment, (2) to determine the choice of pharmacological regimen, rate of guideline adherence and real-world clinical practice in managing asthma patients, (3) to evaluate the pattern of lung function parameters (spirometry and forced oscillometry technique [FOT]) in adult asthma patients, (4) to evaluate the effect of ageing on the trend of change in lung function parameters (spirometry and FOT) in adult asthma patients, (5) to identify biomarkers that help to categorize different asthma phenotypes and predict subsequent prognosis, (6) to determine the risk factors of uncontrolled asthma and asthma exacerbation, (7) to evaluate the impact of comorbidities on asthma control.

400 out-patient asthma patients are planned to be recruited and they will be followed up for 3 years.

Description:

Asthma is a common respiratory disease worldwide and in Hong Kong. According to the estimation by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015, 7.6% adults in the United States have asthma. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of asthma was estimated to be 10.1% among 13 to 14 years old children and 5.8% in randomly selected Chinese elderly aged more than 70. With a rising trend of life expectancy in Hong Kong, the epidemiology of asthma in adult and elderly population may change over time. In addition, elderly patients with asthma may present with a different spectrum of clinical characteristics and pharmacological response.

Asthmatic exacerbation is one of the untoward complications and hospitalization for exacerbations requiring ICU care and mechanical ventilation are both predictors for near-fatal asthma. After the acute attack, its unfavourable impact continues and can lead to multiple sequelae. Exacerbation of asthma is associated with a more rapid decline in the post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second and worse quality of life. Without adjustment of medical treatment, they are prone to develop another episode of exacerbation within a short period of time. In addition, individuals with uncontrolled asthma had higher medical expenditures and decreased productivity, contributing to a greater economic burden when compared with individuals without asthma. In contrary, patients with controlled asthma had lower hospitalization rate, mortality rate and less lung function decline. Many risk factors for exacerbation had been identified including upper airway diseases, gastroesophageal reflux, poor inhaler technique, medication non-compliance. Many of these factors are potentially reversible. A model of better asthma care may be established by improving the understanding on these risk factors, leading to less exacerbation events.

Asthma is not simply an airway disease. Accumulating evidence showed its coexistence with other upper airway and systemic diseases, both atopic and non-atopic. These comorbidities independently or linked together to impose negative impact on patients' health status and quality of life. Knowing about the burden of asthma related comorbidities may help to guide clinician in managing these complications in a more effective way, and even prediction of subsequent prognosis.

Since the launching of GINA guideline in year 1993, its regular evidence-based update on pharmacological treatment had revolutionize the care of asthma patients. The use of asthma medications by both specialists and primary care physicians became more structured and the asthma control was improved. However, there is still a significant proportion of asthma patients experiencing recurrent exacerbation despite optimization of pharmacological treatment. Both the guideline adherence by physicians and drug compliance by patient are subjects of concern.

Previous evidence showed that the compliance rate of GINA guideline is far from satisfactory, which is a shared phenomenon among different common diseases even the presence of well-established international guideline. Patient's drug compliance also contributes to negative disease outcome, especially non-adherence to inhaled corticosteroid. Currently, a comprehensive view on the treatment status in and level of asthma control in Hong Kong is still lacking.

A large knowledge gap exists between the current demographics, comorbidities, treatment status, level of asthma control and exacerbations in Hong Kong. An updated study on these aspects is definitely warranted to enhance patient care and guide further research.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 400
• Est. completion date: January 31, 2022
• Est. primary completion date: December 31, 2021
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All patients with confirmed diagnosis of asthma (defined as those with a consistent history and prior documented evidence of variable airflow obstruction, with evidence of an increase in FEV1 greater than 12% or 200 mL following bronchodilator or bronchial hyperresponsiveness on bronchial provocation testing, when stable (reference)

2. Age greater than 18 years old

3. Signed written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients currently with acute exacerbation of asthma by GINA guideline (they can join the study after 6 weeks post recovery from the exacerbation)

2. Patients with respiratory diseases that can show similar symptoms to asthma such as bronchiectasis, tuberculosis-destroyed lung parenchyma, endobronchial TB, and lung cancer, or those who have history of these diseases based on physician's judgment

3. Patients with respiratory diseases that may confound the lung function parameters such as pleural diseases, interstitial lung diseases, and previous lung surgery, or those who have history of these diseases based on physician's judgment

4. Patients with neuromuscular diseases that may affect the seal off the mouthpiece during spirometry and forced oscillometry technique (FOT)

5. Patients with uncontrolled or active contagious respiratory infection diseases

6. Patients with smoking history more than 10 pack years

7. Significant comorbid illnesses that limit the life expectancy to less than 1 year

8. Patients who are mentally not fit or physically contraindicated for spirometry and FOT

9. Patients with psychiatric disease or cognitive impairment that may limit their ability of understanding or giving consent to the study

10. Patients currently randomized in other clinical studies

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Asthma

Intervention

Other:
• asthmatic exacerbation
evaluate the risk factors, frequency and nature of asthma exacerbations

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Hong Kong	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Hong Kong

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Chinese University of Hong Kong

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Hong Kong, 

References & Publications (26)

Bai TR, Vonk JM, Postma DS, Boezen HM. Severe exacerbations predict excess lung function decline in asthma. Eur Respir J. 2007 Sep;30(3):452-6. Epub 2007 May 30. — View Citation

Boulet LP. Influence of comorbid conditions on asthma. Eur Respir J. 2009 Apr;33(4):897-906. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00121308. Review. — View Citation

Bousquet J, Clark TJ, Hurd S, Khaltaev N, Lenfant C, O'byrne P, Sheffer A. GINA guidelines on asthma and beyond. Allergy. 2007 Feb;62(2):102-12. Review. — View Citation

Dexheimer JW, Borycki EM, Chiu KW, Johnson KB, Aronsky D. A systematic review of the implementation and impact of asthma protocols. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2014 Sep 9;14:82. doi: 10.1186/1472-6947-14-82. — View Citation

Engelkes M, Janssens HM, de Jongste JC, Sturkenboom MC, Verhamme KM. Medication adherence and the risk of severe asthma exacerbations: a systematic review. Eur Respir J. 2015 Feb;45(2):396-407. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00075614. Epub 2014 Oct 16. Review. — View Citation

Guarnaccia S, Lombardi A, Gaffurini A, Chiarini M, Domenighini S, D'Agata E, Schumacher RF, Spiazzi R, Notarangelo LD. Application and implementation of the GINA asthma guidelines by specialist and primary care physicians: a longitudinal follow-up study on 264 children. Prim Care Respir J. 2007 Dec;16(6):357-62. — View Citation

Heaney LG, Conway E, Kelly C, Johnston BT, English C, Stevenson M, Gamble J. Predictors of therapy resistant asthma: outcome of a systematic evaluation protocol. Thorax. 2003 Jul;58(7):561-6. — View Citation

Hekking PP, Wener RR, Amelink M, Zwinderman AH, Bouvy ML, Bel EH. The prevalence of severe refractory asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Apr;135(4):896-902. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.08.042. Epub 2014 Oct 16. — View Citation

Ko FW, Lai CK, Woo J, Ho SC, Ho CW, Goggins W, Hui DS. 12-year change in prevalence of respiratory symptoms in elderly Chinese living in Hong Kong. Respir Med. 2006 Sep;100(9):1598-607. Epub 2006 Jan 30. — View Citation

Koga T, Oshita Y, Kamimura T, Koga H, Aizawa H. Characterisation of patients with frequent exacerbation of asthma. Respir Med. 2006 Feb;100(2):273-8. Epub 2005 Jul 5. — View Citation

Luskin AT, Chipps BE, Rasouliyan L, Miller DP, Haselkorn T, Dorenbaum A. Impact of asthma exacerbations and asthma triggers on asthma-related quality of life in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2014 Sep-Oct;2(5):544-52.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2014.02.011. Epub 2014 Jul 3. — View Citation

Miller MK, Lee JH, Miller DP, Wenzel SE; TENOR Study Group. Recent asthma exacerbations: a key predictor of future exacerbations. Respir Med. 2007 Mar;101(3):481-9. Epub 2006 Aug 17. — View Citation

Moorman JE, Akinbami LJ, Bailey CM, Zahran HS, King ME, Johnson CA, Liu X. National surveillance of asthma: United States, 2001-2010. Vital Health Stat 3. 2012 Nov;(35):1-58. — View Citation

Nestor A, Calhoun AC, Dickson M, Kalik CA. Cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between national guideline recommended asthma drug therapy and emergency/hospital use within a managed care population. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1998 Oct;81(4):327-30. — View Citation

O'Byrne PM, Pedersen S, Lamm CJ, Tan WC, Busse WW; START Investigators Group. Severe exacerbations and decline in lung function in asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009 Jan 1;179(1):19-24. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200807-1126OC. Epub 2008 Oct 31. Erratum in: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2010 Oct 1;182(7):983-4. — View Citation

Pasha MA, Sundquist B, Townley R. Asthma pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management in the elderly. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2017 May 1;38(3):184-191. doi: 10.2500/aap.2017.38.4048. Review. — View Citation

Robinson DS, Campbell DA, Durham SR, Pfeffer J, Barnes PJ, Chung KF; Asthma and Allergy Research Group of the National Heart and Lung Institute. Systematic assessment of difficult-to-treat asthma. Eur Respir J. 2003 Sep;22(3):478-83. — View Citation

Scribano PV, Lerer T, Kennedy D, Cloutier MM. Provider adherence to a clinical practice guideline for acute asthma in a pediatric emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2001 Dec;8(12):1147-52. — View Citation

Serrano-Pariente J, Plaza V. Near-fatal asthma: a heterogeneous clinical entity. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Feb;17(1):28-35. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000333. Review. — View Citation

Shiffman RN, Freudigman Md, Brandt CA, Liaw Y, Navedo DD. A guideline implementation system using handheld computers for office management of asthma: effects on adherence and patient outcomes. Pediatrics. 2000 Apr;105(4 Pt 1):767-73. — View Citation

Sullivan PW, Slejko JF, Ghushchyan VH, Sucher B, Globe DR, Lin SL, Globe G. The relationship between asthma, asthma control and economic outcomes in the United States. J Asthma. 2014 Sep;51(7):769-78. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2014.906607. Epub 2014 Apr 7. — View Citation

Tay TR, Radhakrishna N, Hore-Lacy F, Smith C, Hoy R, Dabscheck E, Hew M. Comorbidities in difficult asthma are independent risk factors for frequent exacerbations, poor control and diminished quality of life. Respirology. 2016 Nov;21(8):1384-1390. doi: 10.1111/resp.12838. Epub 2016 Jul 1. — View Citation

ten Brinke A, Sterk PJ, Masclee AA, Spinhoven P, Schmidt JT, Zwinderman AH, Rabe KF, Bel EH. Risk factors of frequent exacerbations in difficult-to-treat asthma. Eur Respir J. 2005 Nov;26(5):812-8. — View Citation

Turner MO, Noertjojo K, Vedal S, Bai T, Crump S, Fitzgerald JM. Risk factors for near-fatal asthma. A case-control study in hospitalized patients with asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998 Jun;157(6 Pt 1):1804-9. — View Citation

Williams LK, Peterson EL, Wells K, Ahmedani BK, Kumar R, Burchard EG, Chowdhry VK, Favro D, Lanfear DE, Pladevall M. Quantifying the proportion of severe asthma exacerbations attributable to inhaled corticosteroid nonadherence. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Dec;128(6):1185-1191.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.09.011. Epub 2011 Oct 21. — View Citation

Wong GW, Leung TF, Ko FW. Changing prevalence of allergic diseases in the Asia-pacific region. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2013 Sep;5(5):251-7. doi: 10.4168/aair.2013.5.5.251. Epub 2013 Mar 18. Review. — View Citation

* Note: There are 26 references in all — Click here to view all references

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	The clinical characteristics of asthma patients	The clinical characteristics of asthma patients	over 3 years
Primary	The treatment status of asthma patients	The treatment status of asthma patients	over 3 years
Secondary	The 3 year morbidity of asthma patients	The 3 year morbidity of asthma patients	over 3 years
Secondary	The 3 year mortality of asthma patients	The 3 year mortality of asthma patients	over 3 years
Secondary	Genetic markers that predict exacerbation	Genetic markers in blood sample that can help to predict exacerbation and level of control in patients with asthma	over 3 years

External Links

•   CDC information on asthma. Assessed on 28 April 2017