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Small Particle Steroids in Refractory Asthma

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Asthma
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT01171365
Lead Sponsor
University of Nottingham
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an inhaled steroid with a small particle size can be an additional treatment option in patients with refractory eosinophilic asthma.

Detailed Description

We have identified a group of patients with refractory asthma who have ongoing eosinophilic airway inflammation despite high dose inhaled corticosteroids.

Traditional inhaled steroids have a relatively proximal airway distribution which may lead to inadequate treatment of the distal airways.

We aim to demonstrate that a steroid inhaler with a smaller particle size which targets the distal airways can be a useful additional treatment option in this group of patients.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 18-80

  • ACQ >1.5 or a requirement for oral steroids twice a year or more

  • High dose inhaled steroid (>1000mcg BDP or equivalent)

  • Treatment with or unsuccessful trial of:

    • long-acting beta agonist
    • leukotriene antagonist
  • Sputum eosinophil count >3% despite high dose inhaled steroid or >2% with serum eosinophils >0.4x10exp9/l

  • Clinical response to 2 weeks of oral prednisolone: (any one)

    • reduction in ACQ by 0.5 or more
    • increase in FEV1 by 200ml
    • normalisation of exhaled nitric oxide or reduction of >25ppb
Exclusion Criteria
  • Current smoker, or ex-smoker for <12 months

  • Current treatment with an extrafine steroid inhaler

  • Respiratory infection within the last 4 weeks

  • Pregnancy or lactation

  • Poor compliance with usual asthma medication

  • Clinical diagnosis of significant bronchiectasis

  • Use of a medication which may interact with ciclesonide:

    • ketoconazole or itraconazole
    • ritonavir, nelfinavir

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboPlacebo 2 inhalations twice daily
CiclesonideCiclesonideCiclesonide 320 microgrammes twice daily
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in sputum eosinophil count over the trial period0 weeks (start), 8 weeks (finish)

Sputum will be processed for a differential cell count, with the primary outcome the difference in sputum eosinophil count between active and placebo groups at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score0 weeks (start), 4 weeks, 8 weeks (finish)

UK English Version 2001

Use of oral steroid over the trial period0-8 weeks

Dose and duration of any additional oral corticosteroid will be documented

Change in Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) score0 weeks (start), 4 weeks, 8 weeks (finish)

Self-administered United Kingdom Version 1994

Number of patients with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerability0-8 weeks

Adverse events will be recorded throughout the trial period

Change in alveolar nitric oxide level over the trial period0 weeks (start), 4 weeks, 8 weeks (finish)

alveolar nitric oxide has been shown to correlate with eosinophil count on BAL samples. Measured by measuring exhaled nitric oxide at multiple flow rates.

Change in bronchial nitric oxide level0 weeks (start), 4 weeks, 8 weeks (finish)

Measured by single flow exhaled nitric oxide at 50 ml/s

Change in prebronchodilator FEV10 weeks (start), 4 weeks, 8 weeks (finish)

Prebronchodilator FEV1 and FVC will be recorded with a Vitalograph Wedge Bellows spirometer

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

🇬🇧

Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

🇬🇧

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom

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