MethaCholine Bronchoprovocation Study (MeCIS)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this research is to evaluate the methacholine challenge test as an accurate indicator of asthma in patients receiving treatment for asthma. Phase 1 on the study compares methacholine challenge test results from asthma patients to those from people who do not have asthma. In phase 2, test results for people with asthma on low dose inhaled corticosteroid will be compared to results on high dose inhaled corticosteroids. Both males and females with stable asthma (asthma participants) and without asthma (controls) enrolled. Participants will be between 12 and 69 years of age.

Detailed Description
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The study consists of two phases. The first phase is a cross-sectional, case-control study measuring the sensitivity and specificity of methacholine challenge testing for differentiating asthmatic participants from non-asthmatic controls. The second phase is a cross-over, randomized, double-masked trial designed to evaluate the impact of high dose versus low dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in asthmatics.

Official Title
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MethaCholine Bronchoprovocation - Influence of High Potency Inhaled corticoSteroids in Asthma (MeCIS) Study

Conditions
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Asthma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: fluticasone


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Asthmatic participants Inclusion Criteria: Males or females greater than or equal to 12 and less than 70 years of age Physician-diagnosed and investigator-confirmed stable asthma (excluding exercise induced asthma) Current treatment for asthma by a healthcare provider within the preceding twelve months: current asthma treatment defined as regular use of asthma medications. Asthma medications include short and long acting adrenergic bronchodilators, bronchodilator combinations, inhaled anticholinergics, inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium and nedocromil, leukotriene modifiers and methylxanthines Stable asthma defined by no asthma exacerbation (emergency room visit, hospitalization, course of increased systemic steroids, or urgent health care visit for asthma) during the prior four weeks Forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) >70% predicted pre-bronchodilator Ability to provide screening and baseline information Ability and willingness to provide informed consent For women of childbearing potential: not pregnant, non-lactating, and agree to practice an adequate birth control method (abstinence, combination barrier and spermicide, or hormonal) for the duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: Chronic oral steroid therapy (daily) Oral corticosteroid use within past 4 weeks Respiratory tract infection within past 4 weeks Chronic diseases (other than asthma) that in the opinion of the investigator would prevent participation in the trial or put the participant at risk by participation, e.g. chronic diseases of the lung (other than asthma), heart, liver, kidney, or nervous system, or immunodeficiency Known allergy to methacholine (for example, a previous bad reaction to methacholine) or to any other parasympathomimetic agents Current use of beta adrenergic blocking agent (a heart medicine) or a cholinesterase inhibitor (medicine used to treat myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer's disease). History of epilepsy, cardiovascular disease with bradycardia (slow heart beat), vagotonia (increased activity of the vagus nerve causing slow heart rate or low blood pressure), peptic ulcer disease, thyroid disease, or urinary tract obstruction History of cigarette smoking within the past 5 years or >10 pack years total Use of investigative drugs or intervention trials in the 30 days prior to enrollment or during the duration of the study Any condition or compliance issue which in the opinion of the investigator might interfere with participation Nonasthmatic control criteria: Inclusion Criteria: Males or females greater than or equal to 12 and less than 70 years of age Individuals who are in good overall health Age (within ten years for above 25 years of age and +/- five years for 12-25 years of age) and sex matched to the asthmatic group Exclusion Criteria: A subject will be excluded if there is a history within the previous 5 years of: clinically diagnosed allergy (allergic rhinitis, hay fever or atopic dermatitis), asthma (beyond 6 years of age), chronic nasal or sinus disease, or other chronic lung diseases Respiratory tract infection within past 4 weeks History of cigarette smoking within the past 5 years or >10 pack years total Known allergy to methacholine (for example, a previous bad reaction to methacholine) or to any other parasympathomimetic agents Current use of beta adrenergic blocking agent (a heart medicine) or a cholinesterase inhibitor (medicine used to treat myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer's disease). History of epilepsy, cardiovascular disease with bradycardia (slow heart beat), vagotonia (increased activity of the vagus nerve causing slow heart rate or low blood pressure), peptic ulcer disease, thyroid disease, or urinary tract obstruction

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 69 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Low dose fluticasone for phase 2<br>For people with asthma, fluticasone at 250 mcg per day; phase 2 of study | Drug: fluticasone<br>* Inhaled corticosteroid approved for treatment of asthma<br>* Other names: Flovent diskus;|
| Active Comparator: High dose fluticasone for phase 2<br>For people with asthma, fluticasone at 1000 mcg per day; phase 2 of study | Drug: fluticasone<br>* Inhaled corticosteroid approved for treatment of asthma<br>* Other names: Flovent diskus;|
| No Intervention: Nonasthmatic controls for phase 1<br>People without asthma will be enrolled to perform 1 methacholine challenge test in phase 1 of the study | |
| No Intervention: Asthmatic controls for phase 1<br>People with asthma will be enrolled to perform 1 methacholine challenge test in phase 1 of the study | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Methacholine Challenge Test Result for Phase 2 | Presence and degree of airway hyperresponsiveness assessed by methacholine challenge test post-diluent baseline (PC20) after medication holds; PC20 is the methacholine dose at which the amount of air expired in the first second during a forced expiratory maneuver is reduced by 20%; value represents change in baseline to 4 weeks | weeks 0, 4 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Predictive Value of Methacholine Challenge Test for Phase 1 | Predictive value of methacholine challenge test in phase 1 for asthmatics and nonasthmatic controls | one time | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Normal Controls