NCT00078208

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate the usefulness of a new procedure for evaluating asthma in children. The method measures the pH (a measure of acidity and alkalinity) of exhaled breath condensate (water vapor created by the lungs). The condensate contains products of the lungs that may be associated with lung inflammation. Investigators will determine if the pH of the exhaled breath condensate correlates well with known asthma indicators, such as number of hospitalizations, school absenteeism, use of rescue medication, and others. Test results will be compared with findings from healthy normal volunteers. No experimental treatments or medicines are used in this study. Patients who require treatment for their asthma will receive standard care with medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used widely in the United States. Children with asthma and healthy normal volunteers between 6 and 17 years of age may be eligible for this study. You must complete the study before your 18th birthday. Candidates are screened with a medical history and physical examination. Children with asthma undergo the following tests and procedures over six clinic visits, including an initial visit and follow-up visits at 4-8 weeks, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months:

  • Blood draw in children over 6 years of age. Medications are available to decrease the pain associated with blood drawing.(initial visit)
  • Allergen skin testing: Drops of up to 16 allergens are placed on the arm. The skin under each drop is scratched and the area is observed for an allergic reaction. (4- 8-week follow-up visit)
  • Expired nitric oxide testing: The child breathes into a balloon to collect a portion of the gases exhaled form the lungs. This test measures the amount of nitric oxide, which correlates with bronchial inflammation. (all visits)
  • Exhaled breath condensate: The child breathes into a plastic tube surrounded by a cold metal sleeve for 10 to 15 minutes. The water vapor created by the lungs (the same vapor that forms when breathing outside on a cold day) is collected and the pH measured. (all visits)
  • Pulmonary (lung) function test: The child blows very hard into a tube attached to a machine to measure the airflow from the child's lungs. This test measures airflow from the lungs. (all visits) The children are given small plastic device called a peak flow meter - a device used to measure lung function - to use at home. Children whose lung function is less than 80% of the predicted value for their age may be given medicine to see if their lung function improves.
  • Review of the patient's symptoms, sick days, medicines or actions taken to get over the illness; review of peak flow reports; and review of action plan. (3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month visits) Healthy controls will have the expired nitric oxide test, exhaled breath condensate test, and pulmonary function test at each visit at the initial and over two additional visits scheduled 6 months apart.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
128

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2004

Longer than P75 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 18, 2004

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 19, 2004

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 20, 2004

Completed
6.5 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 19, 2010

Completed
Last Updated

July 2, 2017

Status Verified

August 19, 2010

First QC Date

February 19, 2004

Last Update Submit

June 30, 2017

Conditions

Keywords

PediatricNon-InvasiveAnti-InflammatorypHMediatorsAsthmaChildhood AsthmaHealthy VolunteerHV

Eligibility Criteria

Age5 Years - 17 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • ASTHMA:
  • Doctor diagnosed asthma.
  • Chronic cough, worse particularly at night for greater than one month.
  • Recurrent wheezing during the past 6 months.
  • Symptoms of difficulty breathing occurring concurrently or worsened by, exercise, infection, animals, smoke, pollen or strong emotional expression.
  • Medical care for treatment of respiratory symptoms consistent with asthma.
  • Reversible (greater than or equal to 12%) airflow obstruction after an inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist.
  • HEALTHY CONTROL:
  • Children between the ages of 5 and less than 18 years at the time he or she is expected to complete the protocol.
  • Subject (asthma or healthy control) has a non-NIH physician who provides routine and emergency care. When available, permission for access of medical records and pharmacy records will be obtained for subjects with asthma.
  • SUBJECT WITH IMMUNODEFICIENCY:
  • Children between the ages of 5 and less than 18 at the time he or she is expected to complete the protocol.
  • Doctor diagnosed immunodeficiency (CGD, Job's, RIND).

You may not qualify if:

  • Unacceptably poor compliance, which in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with one's ability to study or provide medical care for the subject.
  • Any major illness or condition that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may interfere with the subject's ability to comply with the conditions of participation in the study:
  • Latex allergy
  • Current tobacco use.
  • URI symptoms in the 4 weeks prior to EBC collection.
  • Any condition that, in the opinion of their primary physician, would affect your child's participation in the study.
  • HIV negative by history.
  • HEALTHY CONTROL:
  • Asthma or allergic rhinitis.
  • Chronic pulmonary disease.
  • URI symptoms in the 4 weeks prior to EBC collection.
  • Chronic corticosteroid therapy (daily or every other day dosing for greater than 14 days).
  • Current tobacco use.
  • HIV negative by history.
  • History of latex allergy.
  • +4 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

  • Smith DH, Malone DC, Lawson KA, Okamoto LJ, Battista C, Saunders WB. A national estimate of the economic costs of asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997 Sep;156(3 Pt 1):787-93. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.156.3.9611072.

    PMID: 9309994BACKGROUND
  • Newacheck PW, Taylor WR. Childhood chronic illness: prevalence, severity, and impact. Am J Public Health. 1992 Mar;82(3):364-71. doi: 10.2105/ajph.82.3.364.

    PMID: 1536351BACKGROUND
  • Halfon N, Newacheck PW. Childhood asthma and poverty: differential impacts and utilization of health services. Pediatrics. 1993 Jan;91(1):56-61.

    PMID: 8416505BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Asthma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bronchial DiseasesRespiratory Tract DiseasesLung Diseases, ObstructiveLung DiseasesRespiratory HypersensitivityHypersensitivity, ImmediateHypersensitivityImmune System Diseases

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Sponsor Type
NIH

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 19, 2004

First Posted

February 20, 2004

Study Start

February 18, 2004

Study Completion

August 19, 2010

Last Updated

July 2, 2017

Record last verified: 2010-08-19

Locations