Recruiting

Creating A Risk Assessment Tool for Thunderstorm Asthma: the CARISTA Study

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07055542

PhaseNA

Enrollment530

SponsorUniversity of Melbourne

Age18 Years – 70 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Allergic Asthma, Thunderstorm Asthma, Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Grass Pollen Allergy, Asthma Exacerbation Due to Thunderstorm, Asthma Acute

About this study

Thunderstorm asthma is a recurring public health emergency in South-Eastern Australia which occurs in springtime. The major identified risk factors for thunderstorm asthma is hay fever and allergy to ryegrass pollen. The goal of the CARISTA study is to identify the risk of springtime allergic and thunderstorm asthma in allergic adults living in South-Eastern Australia. To do this the investigators will recruit 530 people who have hay fever and test them for allergy to ryegrass pollen and undertake simple lung function testing. The investigators will ask study participants to complete a customised symptom tracker over the springtime pollen season for 2 consecutive years. The outcome the investigators are looking for is an asthma exacerbation or worsening asthma symptoms. This study will enable the investigators to identify indicators (biomarkers) of severe and moderate asthma exacerbations in order to identify those at risk of thunderstorm and seasonal asthma so protective treatments and strategies can be advised.

Interventions

Diagnostic Test: Observational — Prospective observational study

Primary outcomes

Number of Participants with Moderate or Severe Asthma Exacerbations (Over 13 weeks from 1 October - 31 December)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: Consenting adults aged 18 to 70 years with seasonal allergic rhinitis willing to undertake: * Lung function testing * Blood sample collection for risk factor identification, -Prospectively logging their symptoms and medications through the springtime season using the CARISTA symptom monitoring platform . - Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals unable to provide informed consent * Individuals who do not suffer from symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis * Individuals who do not consent to lung function testing and blood sample collection - Individuals with unstable asthma (FEV1 by spirometry less than 70% predicted), a recent exacerbation or change of asthma preventive medication use (within one month) would be excluded, although re-screening would be permitted after one month, time permitting. * Individuals with severe asthma requiring the use of continuous oral corticosteroids or biological medication for severe asthma. * The presence of any medical illness, such as cardiac disease, pre-existing illness or immunomodulatory therapy that, in the opinion of the Investigators, would compromise participant safety or the derivation of biomarkers during the study.

Study locations

Albury-Wodonga Health, Albury, New South Wales 2640 Australia
Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria 3128 Australia
Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3162 Australia
Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 Australia
The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3004 Australia
The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3050 Australia

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-10-14.