MACRO - qualitative study WS1c
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Defining best Management for Adults with Chronic RhinOsinusitis - the MACRO Programme: A qualitative study
IRAS ID
208301
Contact name
Carl Philpott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2016/08/35, University College London Data Protection Registration Number (issued 10/8/16)
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
More than 1 in 10 UK adults report symptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS). These symptoms include a blocked and runny nose, loss of smell, facial pain, tiredness and breathing problems, such as asthma being worse. Studies have shown that CRS can have a greater impact on quality of life than heart disease and back pain.
Each year more than 600,000 adults are treated for CRS by their doctor. They attend an average of four appointments per year and are prescribed a variety of different drugs. Most patients will receive antibiotics and often repeated courses of antibiotics, even though primary care guidance does not support this, because of the dangers of antibiotic resistance and side effects. Over 120,000 patients attend hospital each year, with around 40,000 then undergoing surgery, as they have not experienced any improvement from their medication; however the evidence concerning the role of surgery is still unclear.
Doctors’ uncertainty about the treatment and management of CRS is also seen in other qualitative research which found that patients were also frustrated with their treatment and the variations in treatment offered. As very few studies have explored the concerns of patients with CRS, and none have explored doctors’ views and experiences of treating and managing CRS there is a need to conduct further exploratory research in this area.
The aims of this qualitative study are to explore through telephone interviews with CRS patients, GPs and ENT specialists the experience of living with CRS. To also explore the experience of seeking medical advice and treatment and management options for CRS and to explore views of two trial designs.
This qualitative study is part of a larger programme of research to establish which treatments work best for adults with CRS and will inform the design of future controlled trial.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
16/NI/0197
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion