Asthma UK sets research agenda

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 18 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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A new Asthma UK report recommends priority areas for research into how asthma is treated in the UK.

'Where next in clinical asthma research?', published today (17 May) by Asthma UK, is the result of a national consultation with asthma experts and identifies key issues not addressed fully in current guidelines for treating the condition.

These issues include diagnosing and assessing asthma, understanding people's expectations of asthma management, treating people with severe symptoms and looking at alternative non-drug approaches to managing asthma.

Research is needed to answer questions such as these, says the report:

• Would more widely available clinical testing improve the diagnosis of asthma?

• What is the best way to treat the 10% of people with asthma whose symptoms are difficult to control with the usual medication?

• Which are the best inhaler devices to use and does their cost influence how they are prescribed?

• Would some people with asthma benefit from complementary approaches such as breathing training?

• Could we benefit from looking outside the UK at approaches to emergency asthma management?

Some of these issues are already being addressed by Asthma UK in its research programme, including looking at the best ways to manage asthma emergencies and investigating potential non-drug choices to help people manage their asthma.

Asthma UK has already published a strategy for basic research - the laboratory-based investigations into how and why asthma happens and how it can be treated. 'This strategy has influenced the basic research agenda by setting out where our efforts need to be focussed,' said Donna Covey, the charity's Chief Executive. 'We are confident that "Where next in clinical asthma research?" will also be a valuable resource for all those planning, commissioning and carrying out clinical asthma research.'

The first evidence-based guideline for health professionals treating asthma was published in February 2003, by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). The document aims to reduce the estimated 1,400 deaths and 71,000 emergency hospital admissions for asthma each year in the UK by giving the most up-to-date guidance on the management of asthma.

However, there are still some gaps in our knowledge on how best to diagnose and treat asthma, and 'Where next in clinical asthma research?' sets out the research required to fill these gaps.

More than 70 experts from research, clinical and pharmaceutical organisations contributed to the Asthma UK consultation, and this latest report emphasises the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to research.

Professor Neil Barnes, a respiratory specialist at the London Chest Hospital, led the consultation: 'This work highlights how the research community is willing to collaborate to drive forward clinical asthma research in the UK,' he commented. 'We now need the investment in research and research infrastructure, particularly through collaboration between research funders, to take these recommendations forward.'

Donna Covey echoed this view: 'We want to see the Department of Health, pharmaceutical companies, research bodies and other charities develop and support a coordinated approach to the organisation of clinical asthma research. This is vital to strengthen our evidence base and improve asthma care for the 5.1 million people with asthma in the UK.'

Download a copy of the report (PDF)
http://www.asthma.org.uk/news/pdf/cars.pdf

For a copy of the report, email info@asthma.org.uk

For advice and information on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline (08457 01 02 03) or
email an asthma nurse specialist.
http://www.asthma.org.uk/help/helpline01.php

© Asthma UK 2004