Estimating the loss in quality of life of people with asthma.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Estimating the loss in quality of life associated with an asthma related crisis event
IRAS ID
181141
Contact name
Christina-Jane Crossman-Barnes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 28 days
Research summary
This research project includes individuals who are 18 years old or older and are clinically diagnosed with asthma. Asthma is a condition that obstructs breathing of the airways, causing breathlessness and tightness of the chest. Triggers such as; pollution and dust mites can cause the airways to narrow causing an asthma attack which can be fatal. Over 5.4 million people suffer from asthma in the UK, with NHS costs exceeding £1 billion per year for treating those with asthma.
Having asthma can cause patients' quality of life to decline, and this depends on how severe the patient is. As so many aspects of quality of life are considered, such as emotional, physical and mental, it is important to focus on quality of life and look for ways in which it can be improved.
This project will aim to estimate the loss of quality of life from when a participant has an asthma-related crisis event (A&E attendance or hospital admission) compared to when they have recovered back to their normal controlled health state. The participants will be involved for approximately 8 weeks and will be recruited from 3 sites (Norwich, Birmingham and Aberdeen). They will be asked to complete quality of life questionnaires and other questions about their quality of life, and a peak flow and asthma symptoms diary for 8 weeks. They will also be asked to answer a productivity questionnaire which will ask questions about their working or student situation, if applicable. By doing this, the loss of quality of life associated with an asthma related crisis event will be estimated and will help to inform other studies which seek to estimate the cost effectiveness of health care services. The productivity questions asked will also help to capture the societal costs associated with an asthma-related crisis event.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0023
Date of REC Opinion
29 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion