Targeting peripheral airway dysfunction with small particle bronchodilator in asthma

This study aims to determine whether the small airways, a site of physiological dysfunction in asthma, can be targeted with bronchodilator therapy, by using a small particle size aerosol that reaches the lung periphery. Current clinical management of patients with asthma includes an array of inhaled therapies. However, there is no consensus relating to the efficacy of different particle sizes for inhalation, despite particle size being the main determinant of where the drug deposits in the airway. Participants with asthma will be invited to participate in two study visits. Both study visits will involve physiological assessments (lung function tests) and ventilation scans completed at baseline and post-bronchodilator. At one visit the standard medication salbutamol will be administered via a conventional vibrating mesh nebuliser (Aerogen solo), at the other visit the salbutamol will be administered via the Aerogen PDAP which will create a fine particle aerosol. The aim is 2 recruit and test 30 participants and compare their response to small and large particle bronchodilator.

Trial phase

Other

Trial participation type

This trial has been designed for the Clinical Research of a Device.

Principal investigator

Dr Andrew Gillman

Key inclusion data

Able to provide informed consent to participate in the study; Physician diagnosis of asthma; Evidence of airway dysfunction / suboptimal Asthma control defined as either: recent positive response to salbutamol on spirometry bronchodilator testing or an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score >1.5; 18–60 years of age; Current Non-smokers with <10-year pack history and no smoking for 12 months.