SENTINEL Qual
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient and practitioner determinants to Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) concordance in Asthma during the SENTINEL Project (SENTINEL Qual)
IRAS ID
320038
Contact name
Michael G Crooks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
AstraZeneca UK
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Asthma is a common inflammatory condition that effects the airways in those with the condition. Symptoms are breathlessness, cough and wheezing (that typically varies overtime) and airflow limitation. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS; preventer inhalers) are the cornerstone of asthma treatment and should be used regularly to control airway inflammation. However, many patients become over-reliant on blue-reliever inhalers (short-acting beta agonists; SABA) that provide only temporary relief of symptoms and do not treat the underlying inflammation. Over-use of SABA inhalers is associated with increased risk of asthma attacks and has a negative impact on the environment. A different way of treating asthma is now advocated by guidelines and involves using a single combination inhaler as both preventer and reliever. This approach is called maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) and ensures that when asthma patients experience symptoms and use their inhaler as a reliever, they also receive an ICS, therefore treating the airway inflammation. MART is known to reduce the risk of asthma attacks and may reduce the environmental impact of asthma and its treatment.
SENTINEL Qual builds on the work undertaken in the SENTINEL Project; a quality improvement project being undertaken across 6 primary care organisations in Hull and East Yorkshire. SENTINEL aims are to improve the outcomes for adult asthma patients, and reduce the environmental impact of asthma and its treatment by identifying SABA over-use through supporting implementation of MART-focussed asthma guidelines.
SENTINEL Qual's aim is to conduct interviews with 15 asthma patients (10 who have transitioned to MART and continue to use it, and 5 who transitioned but later ceased usage, alongside 15 health care practitioners who were involved in the original SENTINEL project) to identify any factors that prevent (barriers) and support (facilitators) MART use in asthma. Understanding these factors will be of benefit to patients, health services and environment.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0281
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion