STEPDOWN Views
Research type
Research Study
Full title
STEPDOWN Views: Experiences and views on reducing asthma medication
IRAS ID
310378
Contact name
Chloe Bloom
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background
Inhaled steroids were a breakthrough in asthma treatment and have saved many lives. However, many adults with milder asthma are often prescribed higher doses than they need. As long-term higher dose inhaled steroids may cause several health problems, this means that the NHS is spending unnecessary money on expensive high-dose inhalers that may be causing harm to some patients.
Nearly all the good effects from inhaled steroids can be achieved from a low dose. Asthma guidelines recommend that medication should be used at the lowest dose possible to maintain good control. Over the last 20 years, more and more patients have been prescribed higher doses of inhaled steroids (around 70%). Many patients could safely have their regular inhaled medication dose reduced, but this rarely happens; most are prescribed the same higher dose inhaled steroid for years.
Current problem:
• Lack of scientific evidence on how to safely reduce asthma medication doses
• Doctors and nurses do not reduce higher medication doses as they find guidelines unclear
Aims: Speak to patients about their views and experiences on reducing asthma medication doses.
Design and methods
Mixed methods: I will ask a larger number of patients to complete a survey (quantitative part), and speak to a smaller number in-depth (qualitative part), about their thoughts on reducing asthma treatment.
Patients will be located using primary care records through a real-world research data organisation, Clinical Practice Research Datalink, funded by MHRA and NIHR. Only patients with stable asthma and using asthma inhalers of a certain strength will be approached to participate.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0087
Date of REC Opinion
11 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion