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Methacholine Challenge Test in School Children With/Without Asthma RISKA

Recruiting
Conditions
Asthma Bronchiale
Lung Function Tests
Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness
Registration Number
NCT07031102
Lead Sponsor
Helsinki University Central Hospital
Brief Summary

The study includes a pre-study telephone interview with healthy controls to assess their eligibility for participation. During the study visit, a background information form and an asthma questionnaire are completed. At the study visit, a methacholine challenge test measuring airway hyperresponsiveness and an exhaled nitric oxide measurement are performed. The effect of medication intensification in asthma patients is further assessed through a telephone interview 1-2 months after the medication adjustment.

Detailed Description

Study type: Observational study Study sites: Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Inclusion criteria: Age 7-15 years, diagnosed with asthma and on regular asthma medication with physician-assessed good asthma control (55 participants), suboptimal asthma control (55 participants), or healthy controls with no inhaled asthma medication or asthma-related symptoms in the preceding two years (150 participants).

Exclusion criteria: Other respiratory, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases; acute respiratory infection within 2 weeks; respiratory disorders related to prematurity; implanted or external active medical devices.

Sample size: 110 asthma patients and 150 healthy controls. Study duration: Until the end of 2027 Study visits: One study visit; in addition, consent will be sought to contact participants during the 15-year storage period of the study data, for example, regarding questionnaire follow-ups.

Objectives:

Primary:

To determine whether airway hyperresponsiveness differs clinically significantly (PD20FEV1 at least twofold difference) between children with well-controlled asthma, those requiring intensified asthma medication, and healthy controls.

To determine whether a corresponding difference exists in exhaled nitric oxide levels between the groups.

Secondary:

To assess how age correlates with airway hyperresponsiveness (PD20FEV1 value) in the methacholine challenge among healthy controls.

To assess how sensitization to airborne allergens correlates with PD20FEV1 values in healthy controls and asthma patients.

To assess how blood eosinophil levels correlate with PD20FEV1 values in the methacholine challenge in both healthy controls and asthma patients.

Implementation:

Healthy controls will undergo a pre-study telephone interview to assess eligibility. At the study visit, background information and asthma questionnaires will be completed. The study visit will include a methacholine challenge test measuring airway hyperresponsiveness and an exhaled nitric oxide measurement. The effect of medication intensification in asthma patients will be evaluated via a telephone interview 1-2 months after the medication adjustment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
260
Inclusion Criteria

Healthy Controls

  • • Aged 7-15 years, both sexes

    • No diagnosis of asthma in childhood
    • No inhaled asthma medication during the previous 2 years
    • No wheezing or shortness of breath during the previous 2 years
    • Written informed consent from the participant and guardian

Inclusion Criteria: Children with Asthma

  • Aged 7-15 years, both sexes

  • Physician-diagnosed asthma (ICD-10 codes J45.0/J45.1/J45.9)

  • Inhaled corticosteroid treatment for at least 6 months

  • Either:

    • Well-controlled asthma (c-ACT/ACT score ≥20) and no clinical need to intensify medication, or
    • Poorly controlled asthma with physician-confirmed need for intensified asthma medication
Exclusion Criteria
  • • Premature birth before 32 gestational weeks

    • Other chronic cardiopulmonary or neurological conditions affecting airways (excluding asthma)
    • Severe underlying illness such as malignancy
    • Beta-blocker medication
    • Active immunological disease

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
BHR and asthma balanceBaseline

To determine whether airway hyperresponsiveness (defined as cumulative dose of methacholine causing 20% fall of FEV1 (PD20FEV1)) differs clinically significantly (PD20FEV1 at least twofold difference) between children with well-controlled asthma, those requiring intensified asthma medication, and healthy controls

FeNO in study groupsBaseline

To determine whether a corresponding difference exists in exhaled nitric oxide levels between the groups

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Age and BHRBaseline

assess how age correlates with airway hyperresponsiveness (PD20FEV1 value) in the methacholine challenge among healthy controls

Allergic sensitization and BHRBaseline

assess how sensitization to airborne allergens correlates with PD20FEV1 values in healthy controls and asthma patients

Eosinophils and BHRBaseline

assess how blood eosinophil levels (absolute count) correlate with PD20FEV1 values in the methacholine challenge in both healthy controls and asthma patients

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

HUS Skin and Allergy Hospital

🇫🇮

Helsinki, Finland

HUS Skin and Allergy Hospital
🇫🇮Helsinki, Finland
Janne Burman, PhD, MD
Contact
+358406517912
janne.burman@hus.fi
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