Active clinical trials for "Asthma"

Current research shows that obesity greatly increases the risk of developing asthma. Although the two conditions are clearly related, experts do not fully understand why they are linked. Some researchers believe that hormones released in the fat cells (adipokines) play a role. Others believe that excess weight pressing on the lungs triggers the hyperreactive response in the airways that is typical of asthma. The goal of the Asthma-Bariatric Surgery Study is to determine how weight loss affects lung function and various biological parameters. Bariatric (weight loss) surgery refers to the various surgical procedures performed to treat obesity. Specifically, this study is designed to answer the following questions: Does bariatric surgery help patients control their asthma? How much asthma control can be achieved through weight loss? How does weight loss influence lung function? Participants in this observational research study will be asked to complete study visits at enrollment, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. Questionnaires, pulmonary function tests, and blood samples will be required at each time point. This research study is observational only; it does not cover the cost of (or provide) bariatric surgery. Optional genetic and bronchoscopy substudies are included as well.

This research study was designed to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in young children. An interventional strategy using a scoring system based on risk factors and symptoms/episodes was tested to determine its ability to identify children likely to benefit from induction of asthma controller therapy at an early age. The score was derived through completion of a survey instrument referred to as the asthma risk questionnaire (ARQ). The utility of the ARQ along with the health care utilization and use of controller therapy for respiratory illnesses within one year were examined.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a specific genetic factor influences the severity of asthma symptoms.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether having physicians evaluate their management of certain diseases as part of board recertification results in improved patient care.

To demonstrate that the New York City Department of Health Child Health Clinics could improve the health status of Black and Hispanic children with asthma by providing them with a comprehensive system of continuity of care that included pharmacologic treatment, family health education and community outreach. Recent studies have shown that lack of continuing primary care for asthma is associated with increased levels of morbidity in low-income minority children. Although effective preventive therapy is available, many African-American and Latino children receive episodic treatment for asthma that does not follow current guidelines for care. To see if access, continuity, and quality of care could be improved in pediatric clinics serving low-income children in New York City, we trained staff in New York City Bureau of Child Health clinics to provide continuing, preventive care for asthma.

To test the effectiveness of school-based asthma education interventions, community-based asthma health workers' programs and the combination of these on asthmatic children. Also, to examine the separate and combined impact of asthma interventions designed to address problems associated with effective asthma self-management amd difficulties in establishing and maintaining continuity of medical care.

The Community Organizing Network for Environmental Health is a part of Community Action Against Asthma (CAAA), which, in turn is a part of the Michigan Center for the Environment and Children's Health. It is a community-based intervention research partnership between the University of Michigan, community-based organizations, and health care institutions in Detroit.

To identify gene variants in human chromosome 5Q31-33 that may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.

To design, develop, implement, and test the effectiveness of a three component health services and health education intervention for primarily Hispanic inner-city elementary school students at high risk for asthma morbidity and mortality.

The aim of this study is to determine and compare serum cytokine levels of six different severe asthma inflammatory phenotypes differentiated by their atopy, peripheral eosinophilia and/or chronic rhinosinusitis and/or nasal polyposis status.