2 May 2006

1000 new volunteers needed to boost asthma and allergy research

Researchers in Tayside working on developing new treatments for asthma and allergic conditions are calling for 1000 new volunteers to come forward and help them in their quest to beat one of the world’s fastest growing health problems.

The call for new volunteers comes on World Asthma Day from the internationally recognized Asthma and Allergy Research Group at the University of Dundee, where researchers are working on a range of clinical trials looking at treatments for asthma, rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD - also called bronchitis and emphysema).

"We have over 700 volunteers in Tayside currently engaged in our clinical trials but we really do need the help of significantly more people as we progress with our research," said Professor Brian Lipworth, head of the Asthma and Allergy Research Group, which has bases at Ninewells Hospital and Perth Royal Infirmary.

Researchers from the group will be in the Overgate Centre in Dundee today, and at both Ninewells and PRI throughout the week offering quick `breathalyser test’ checks to measure the amount of nitric oxide in exhaled breath which can tell if someone has asthma . There is evidence that there are a growing number of people suffering with undiagnosed asthma.

Prof Lipworth’s group hope to be able not just to help diagnose the condition, but produce new ways to treat it.

"In our research group we are developing new ways to measure and treat inflammation throughout the respiratory tract, from the nose right down to the smallest parts of the lungs," he said. "This will hopefully enable us to treat asthma, rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease more effectively, reducing the long-term problems caused by these conditions. Untreated asthma leads to irreversible damage to the lungs, so the long-term effects can be severe.

"In addition, all of these conditions are treated using steroids. We hope that many of our treatments will help reduce the chance of developing side-effects that can be caused by this type of medication."

"All three of these conditions have similarities: namely they affect a large proportion of the population, lead to significant ill-health for their sufferers, and they are also all conditions in which the airways become inflamed and irritated. It is this inflammation that leads to the symptoms of cough, running nose and shortness of breath that patients experience."

"We are developing novel ways of treating this inflammation both by using established medications in new ways, and also by using new techniques to accurately measure inflammation and target treatment more effectively. In addition, we are helping to develop cheaper, generic-brand medications as alternatives to the costly drugs currently used to treat these conditions."

The Asthma and Allergy Research Group has developed close links with GPs, nurses and pharmacists across Tayside, meaning research can be translated directly to the GP surgery where it may be of greatest potential benefit.

"Increasingly, we are collaborating with our colleagues in primary care - i.e. GP's, nurses and pharmacists, and we have over 20 GP practices across Tayside currently involved in research with us, specifically looking at improving ways of monitoring disease and also better ways of deciding which treatment to give to individual patients," said Prof Lipworth.

"But the key to so much of our work is having enough volunteers working with us on our clinical trials. Specifically we are looking for people with asthma, rhinitis or COPD who are interested in their condition and who would like to help fellow patients, to come forward and find out more. We will offer an initial consultation and comprehensive evaluation of their condition and supply them with any information they require."

Anyone who wishes to volunteer can contact the Asthma and Allergy Research Group in Dundee on 01382 425597 or in Perth on 01738 473321. Reasonable expenses will be paid.

NOTES TO EDITORS

* 300 Million people worldwide have asthma, and this is expected to increase by a further 100 million by 2025

* Scotland has the highest prevalence rates in the world for childhood asthma symptoms. In adults, Scotland is 3rd highest.

* One in twelve adults in Scotland have asthma, which means 390,000 are currently receiving treatment.

* 95% of adult asthmatics have symptoms that could be better controlled.

* In many, these symptoms limit their daily activities - 42% report that symptoms interfere with their ability to play with their children, 70% have problems sleeping and 27% say it interferes with their sex life!

* New treatments are always being developed, but without volunteers this process would not be possible.

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk