Asthma research on its way to help sufferers

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDMay 3 2011

The University of Newcastle is now conducting a nationwide research program to help people with asthma better control their condition. This study will be testing the effectiveness of combining antibiotics with commonly used treatments in asthmatics. This news comes today on the World Asthma Day. Statistics show that commonly prescribed treatments and medications do not relieve the symptoms for about 10 per cent of asthma patients. It's thought about 80% of people with the condition suffer numerous symptoms, yet 80% say they believe they have it under control.

According to the University's Professor Peter Gibson research has shown not all asthma sufferers have the same type of allergic pattern of inflammation. He said, “We've found this other type of inflammation that appears to respond to a type of medicine called macrolide… It's an antibiotic but it also has properties that reduce mucus and reduce inflammation in the airways…And it's those beneficial effects that we're testing out in this new asthma study.” Professor Peter Gibson is the Co-Director of the University’s Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases and conducts research in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma Research Program. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

The AMAZES (Asthma and Marcolides: Azithromycin Efficacy and Safety) study is a nationwide, collaborative project. The National Health and Medical Research Council have contributed $2.9 million to the study that aims to fill the gaps in treatments for the various forms of asthma. The AMAZES study involves researchers from Newcastle, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney.

As part of Asthma Awareness week, people are being encouraged to take an online Asthma Control Test at asthmacontrol.co.nz to see whether they're managing it correctly. Victoria University's Adjunct Professor Shaun Holt says many aren't aware they could have a better quality of life. “That's not to say people are being foolish about this, it's just because when you have a chronic illness you just get used to having these symptoms the whole time…If you've had asthma your whole life you have nothing to compare it with,” he said.