Appropriate Antimicrobial Use for Asthma Exacerbation (PAUSE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Antibiotic prescribing for asthma exacerbations in primary care: exploring prescribing decisions and optimising intervention materials to improve antibiotic use in asthma.
IRAS ID
349059
Contact name
Nick Francis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways, impacting around 300 million people worldwide. It is characterised by recurring respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. For people with asthma, the severity of symptoms can change over time, sometimes becoming more intense, leading to what are known as flare-ups, or exacerbations. These exacerbations can be triggered by a variety of factors, with only a small proportion caused by bacterial chest infections. In primary care, it can be challenging to tell the difference between an asthma flare-up and a chest infection.
Current asthma management guidelines recommend against using antibiotics to treat asthma flare-ups unless there is clear evidence of a bacterial infection. However, studies show that antibiotics are prescribed for 80% of people with asthma who present with suspected lower respiratory tract infections in primary care. This difference between guidelines and real-world practice highlights the need to better understand antibiotic prescribing habits in this group and to develop interventions that support more appropriate use of antibiotics in people with asthma.
This research study aims to create an evidence-based intervention designed to reduces unnecessary use of antibiotics for people with asthma. In Phase 1, we will explore the views and experiences of primary healthcare professionals, individuals with asthma, and their informal caregivers, focusing on the factors that influence antibiotic prescribing for asthma flare-ups. In Phase 2, we will use think-aloud interviews to gather feedback from healthcare professionals and people with asthma to refine the intervention’s content, design, and usability. The insights from these interviews will guide an iterative development process, ensuring the intervention is practical, user-friendly, and meets the needs of both professionals and patients
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/1561
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion