Environmental influences on allergic airways disease from birth to 8yrs: long-term outcomes of a randomised trial (CAPS) [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Guy Marks (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Euan Tovey ,  Dr Graham Jones ,  Prof Andrew Kemp ,  Prof Stephen Leeder
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Brief description The prevalence of asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world yet no trials of primary prevention have been conducted which address the most common known causative agent (housedust mite allergens) and the most common known protective factor (dietary omega-3 fatty acids). Until the effectiveness of interventions which address these factors is certain, it will not be possible to give confident advice about how to prevent asthma. We are applying to continue follow up of the cohort of the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS) which has been underway since mid-1997. CAPS is a randomised controlled trial in which 616 infants at high risk of developing asthma because of a family history have been enrolled. The interventions include allergen reduction and dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. The interventions are designed to have maximum effect but be simple to implement by parents. Objective and subjective measurements of exposures, atopy, diet and asthmatic symptoms are being collected at 3 month intervals and at medical assessments when the children are 18 months, 3 and 5 years old. The interventions are stopped at age 5 years. The continued follow up of the cohort to age 8 will enable us to test conclusively if the interventions have had a positive effect. If so, CAPS will form the basis for a nationwide public health campaign which will have the potential to reduce the incidence of childhood asthma in Australia.

Funding Amount $AUD 530,000.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant