Lifechanging asthma trial helps Perth grandmother breathe easier

For Perth grandmother Carol from Quinns Rocks, asthma has been part of her life since childhood. But two years ago, everything changed when she developed pneumonia.

“My asthma got really bad after that,” Carol said. “When you can’t breathe, it affects everything you do. You can become depressed and isolated.”

Today, Carol is breathing easier thanks to the TTOCS clinical trial run by the Institute for Respiratory Health Clinical Trials Unit in Perth.

Carol heard about the study through her specialist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, who referred her to the Institute. The trial is testing a new personalised approach to asthma care that aims to improve control and reduce the need for oral corticosteroid tablets such as prednisolone.

These tablets are often helpful but cause serious side effects when used frequently and in high doses. Researchers are now exploring a more tailored way to manage asthma so patients can stay well and rely less on these medications.

Led by Professor John Blakey, the TTOCS study compares a Treatable Traits model of care to usual management. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the research team looks at the individual factors (or “treatable traits”) that affect each person’s asthma in the intervention arm. These can include lung inflammation, breathing patterns, inhaler technique, recurrent infections, throat problems and other co-existing conditions.

For Carol, the changes have been lifechanging.

Over 12 months in the program, her medications were reviewed and adjusted to better suit her needs. She learnt how to breathe properly and how to use her inhaler device correctly to improve her breathing. The team referred her to a cough clinic and a physiotherapist, and she joined exercise classes to build strength and fitness.

“All of these changes have improved my asthma, and I have fewer flare-ups,” Carol said.

Professor Blakey said asthma is complex and highly individual. “A one-size-fits-all approach to asthma management does not work for everyone,” he said.

“Many factors influence how a person experiences asthma and how well treatments work. By identifying and targeting these treatable traits, we aim to optimise care and reduce the need for corticosteroid tablets.”

He added that early access to other healthcare professionals and new medicines in the trial would not burden participants with extra costs.

Asthma affects around one in nine Australians and costs the country more than $1 billion each year. It disproportionately affects adult women, who are much more likely than men to need emergency care or die of asthma. For people living with severe or difficult-to-control asthma, the burden can be significant.

Carol believes more people need to know about the trial, especially older Australians.

“I wish everyone knew about it,” she said. “It can change your quality of life for the better. By participating in this research, you can change your life and breathe so much easier. I would recommend it to everyone.”

The TTOCS clinical trial is now recruiting adults aged 18 and over who have been diagnosed with asthma and have taken at least 500mg of prednisolone (ten days of treatment in total) in the past two years. It is open to people living anywhere in WA.

To find out if you are eligible, contact the Institute for Respiratory Health Clinical Trials Unit on 6151 0888 or email clinicaltrials@resphealth.uwa.edu.au.

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Media contact:
Andrea Jones
Institute for Respiratory Health
Mobile: 0450613460
Email: andrea.jones@uwa.edu.au
www.resphealth.org.au