Research Opportunity: Minimising Oral Corticosteroid Use in Asthma using Treatable Traits (The TTOCS Study)

Corticosteroid tablets, such as prednisone are a powerful and lifesaving treatment for people with asthma. But these tablets also have negative side effects, especially when taken too often and in large doses. To reduce these debilitating effects on patients and the cost to the healthcare system, researchers from the University of Newcastle are conducting a study that aims to reduce oral corticosteroid use in patients with asthma.

The Minimising Oral Corticosteroid Use in Asthma using Treatable Traits (TTOCS) Study investigates whether a new personalised approach to managing asthma, called treatable traits, can reduce the use of these medications.

This approach involves identifying and treating other medical problems, risk factors and behaviours that may make the person’s asthma worse.

To help researchers test this approach, they are looking for adults with asthma who have taken corticosteroid tablets (e.g., prednisone) in the past 24 months. Eligible participants will be randomised to one of the two study arms.

All participants will receive additional asthma care and the participants randomised to the intervention arm will receive the treatment based on the new personalised treatment approach.

The TTOCS Study is being conducted at multiple sites across Australia and will involve face to face and phone visits over a 12-month period.

For more information go to the TTOCS study web page or download the Participant Information Sheet.

For further details contact the Clinical Trial Coordinator, Amber Smith on (02) 4042 1034 or at amber.smith@newcastle.edu.au