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Creating A Risk Assessment Biomarker Tool to Prevent Seasonal and Thunderstorm Asthma: The CARISTA Study
Led by University of Melbourne · Updated on 2026-05-06
530
Participants Needed
6
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Melbourne
Lead Sponsor
T
The Alfred
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating thunderstorm asthma and seasonal allergic asthma in adults with hay fever living in South-Eastern Australia, where thunderstorm asthma is a recurring health emergency in spring caused mainly by ryegrass pollen allergy. The CARISTA study aims to identify risk factors and biomarkers for asthma exacerbations triggered by these seasonal allergies to help improve preventive care. The study will recruit 530 adults aged 18 to 70 years who have seasonal allergic rhinitis. Participants will undergo lung function tests and blood sample collection to measure allergy markers, including ryegrass pollen-specific IgE and inflammatory cells. They will use a secure symptom monitoring platform to log symptoms and medication use during two consecutive spring seasons from October to December. Participants will be monitored for moderate or severe asthma exacerbations, defined by emergency visits or need for corticosteroid therapy, over 13 weeks each spring season. Researchers will assess lung function, blood biomarkers, and symptom reports to identify indicators of asthma worsening and risk for thunderstorm asthma. The study includes regular assessments and aims to develop a biomarker-based risk tool for better prevention strategies.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Creating A Risk Assessment Tool for Thunderstorm Asthma: the CARISTA Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 18 to 70 years with seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Willing to undergo lung function testing
- Willing to provide blood samples for risk factor identification
- Willing to prospectively log symptoms and medications during springtime using the CARISTA symptom monitoring platform
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Do not have symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Do not consent to lung function testing and blood sample collection
- Have unstable asthma (FEV1 less than 70% predicted), recent exacerbation or change in asthma preventive medication use within one month
- Have severe asthma requiring continuous oral corticosteroids or biological medication
- Have any medical illness or treatment that may compromise safety or biomarker analysis as judged by investigators
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 2 weeks before spring season
Participants undergo baseline assessments including lung function testing, blood sample collection for biomarkers, and symptom evaluation before the monitoring period.
1 baseline visit (in-person)
Duration - Over 13 weeks each spring season for up to 3 years
Participants log asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms and medication use over two consecutive spring seasons using a secure data platform to monitor for seasonal allergic asthma exacerbations.
Ongoing symptom logging throughout each 13-week spring period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 6 locations
1
Albury-Wodonga Health
Albury, New South Wales, Australia, 2640
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2
Eastern Health
Box Hill, Victoria, Australia, 3128
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3
Monash Health
Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3162
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4
Austin Health
Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 3084
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5
The Alfred Hospital
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3004
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6
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3050
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Research Team
J
Jo A Douglass, MD
R
Rachel Tham, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Number of Arms
1
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