Asthma in the Delta Region of Arkansas: Characterization of Disease and Impact of Environmental Factors

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to evaluate asthma and examine the homes of children with asthma living in rural areas of the state. This study is being done to give investigators more information about the presence of allergens and endotoxin in the homes of children with asthma living in the delta region of Arkansas.

Detailed Description
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Asthma is the most common chronic disease of children and disproportionately affects minority and low-income children. Current pediatric asthma research in this high-risk group focuses on children living in inner-city environments. Low-income, minority children with asthma from non-urban locales have not been studied extensively. The specific aims of the study will examine the impact of home environmental exposure to endotoxin on asthma severity and atopy status in the rural setting among predominately African American, low-income asthmatics. This study will answer several research questions. The first question involves the relationship between asthma severity and exposure to endotoxin among rural children at high risk for increased morbidity and mortality. Second, the relationship between atopy and endotoxin exposure has been the subject of recent debates among asthma researchers. The hygiene hypothesis suggest that the recent rise in atopic disease in Westernized societies is due to decreased microbial burden. Last data on atopy and aeroallergen exposure among high-risk rural asthmatics will be critical in the design and implementation of future intervention programs.

Official Title
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Asthma in the Delta Region of Arkansas: Characterization of Disease and Impact of Environmental Factors

Conditions
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Asthma

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: English speaking participants aged 4-17 years from four rural schools with physician diagnosed asthma or symptoms of asthma in the previous 12 months (coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath) (per parental or legal guardian report) and current taking prescribed medications for asthma such as inhalers, syrup or breathing machine. Exclusion Criteria: Children with significant underlying respiratory disease other than asthma (such as cystic fibrosis) or significant co-morbid conditions such as severe developmental delay or cerebral palsy will be excluded from the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 4 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| EU, LV, MA, EL, DU<br>The population will consist of 120 English-speaking participants ages 4-17 years from four rural schools with physician-diagnosed asthma or symptoms of asthma in the previous 12 months. As of June 2008, an additional rural school has been added to the population criteria, making a total of five rural schools. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Asthma morbidity data will be analyzed to examine relationships between home environment factors and morbidity outcomes such as symptom frequency, medication use, healthcare utilizations and decreased activity. |  | Three years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The study will yield preliminary and feasibility data critical for designing future large-scale asthma studies among high-risk populations. |  | Three years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Asthma, Children, Rural Population, Morbidity, Endotoxin