Research Supervisor Connect

Epidemiological investigation of Childhood Asthma within the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS)

Summary

In 1997, The Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS) recruited babies at high risk of developing asthma and allergies because a parent and/or sibling had asthma or frequent wheeze. In this primary prevention trial, families were randomised to one or both interventions; house dust mite avoidance or dietary fatty acid supplementation in a factorial design.A total of 616 families were enrolled into CAPS and the intervention phase of the trial continued through to the child's 5th birthday. Concurrently we conducted regular clinical assessments at 18 months, 3 years, 5 years, 8 years, 11.5 years, 14 years and 17 years of age.

Supervisor

Dr Brett Toelle.

Research location

Camperdown - Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

Program type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

To date CAPS has generated 64 peer-reviewed publications. We had at least 42 data collection contacts with these children/families from birth to 17 years of age which has produced an extensive and rich dataset. The dataset includes information about respiratory and allergy symptoms and diagnoses, atopy by skin prick test, lung function by spirometry and forced oscillation test, airway hyperresponsiveness by methacholine challenge and reversibility by post bronchodilator spirometry. Through blood tests we have collected DNA, immunological, inflammatory and fatty acid profile.
We also have an extensive array of exposure information including vaccinations, home environment such as heating, cooking and mould, dietary intake diaries and estimates of residential air pollution.Proposals for secondary analyses on this dataset will require Human Research Ethics Committee approval.

Want to find out more?

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 2667

Other opportunities with Dr Brett Toelle