CARISTA Study to Identify Risk Factors and Biomarkers for Seasonal and Thunderstorm Asthma in Adults with Allergic Rhinitis in South-Eastern Australia

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.

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