What is SPIROMAC?

Asthma affects 1.1 million children in the UK. Asthma attacks are frightening for the child and their family.

Current guidelines say that recent asthma control (symptoms) should guide the treatment used to prevent asthma attacks. Spirometry is a simple breathing test which could be used alongside asthma control (symptoms) to help guide preventer treatment and reduce the number of asthma attacks. The results from the SPIROMAC study will help us understand whether using spirometry to help guide preventer treatment can reduce the number of asthma attacks in children.

We will answer the question “In children with asthma does spirometry and symptom guided treatment, compared to symptom guided treatment alone, reduce the number of asthma attacks?”

We will recruit 550 children aged 6-15 years with asthma from across the UK who have had an asthma attack in the last year.

Children will take part in SPIROMAC for 12 months. Everyone that takes part will be put into one of two groups and has an equal chance of being in
• group 1 (treatment guided by spirometry plus asthma control (symptoms)) or
• group 2 (treatment guided by asthma control (symptoms) alone).
All children will have spirometry measured at every visit. Asthma control (symptoms) will be collected through questionnaires. A computer programme will guide treatment decisions based on symptoms, current treatment and also, in group 1, spirometry measurements.

At 3- month intervals over a year, children will meet the research team, complete the symptom questionnaire, and spirometry, and have their treatment changed according to spirometry and asthma control (symptoms), or asthma control (symptoms) alone. We will measure asthma attacks and other outcomes over 12 months.

At the end of the study we will compare the number of asthma attacks in each group.

Introductory video about the SPIROMAC study

Video about what happens at a SPIROMAC appointment

Can I take part?

Children may be eligible to take part in SPIROMAC if they are:
• Aged 6-15 years
• Have asthma
• Have had an asthma attack (treated with oral corticosteroids) in the last 12 months
• Be able to complete the spirometry breathing test.

Please see “Where can I take part?” to check if your local hospital or GP practice is participating.

If you would like to know more about SPIROMAC, including information about taking part, please contact the SPIROMAC study office at the University of Aberdeen on 01224 438089 / 438084 / 438199 or email spiromac@abdn.ac.uk.

If you are interested in taking part, or have any questions?

Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Prof Steve Turner

Address:

Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZG

Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Ian Sinha

Address:

Eaton Road
Liverpool
L12 2AP

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Erol Gaillard

Address:

Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW

The Royal London Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Chinedu Nwokoro

Address:

The Royal London Hospital
Children's Clinical Research Facility
7th Floor, North Tower
Whitechapel Road, London
E1 1BB

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Anil Shenoy

Address:

Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
BD9 6RJ

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Ema Kavaliunaite

Address:

St George's University London
The Vaccine Institute
Cranmer Terrace
London
SW17 0RE

Countess of Chester Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Ravi Jayaram

Address:

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Countess of Chester Health Park
Liverpool Road
Chester
CH2 1UL

Wythenshawe Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Naveen Rao

Address:

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Oxford Road
Manchester
M23 9LT

University Hospital of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Donna Traves

Address:

Royal Derby Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
DE22 3NE

Nottingham Children's Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Jayesh M Bhatt

Address:

Nottingham Children's Hospital
Queen's Medical Centre
Nottingham
NG7 2UH

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Beth Enderby

Address:

Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW

Barnsley Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Diarmuid Kerrin

Address:

Barnsley Hospital
Gawber Road
Barnsley
S75 2EP

Royal Hospital for Children

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Ross Langley

Address:

1345 Govan Road
Glasgow
G51 4TF

Ormskirk District General Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Sharryn Gardner

Address:

Ormskirk Hospital
Wigan Road
Ormskirk
L39 2AZ

Leeds General Infirmary

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Emma Guy

Address:

Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX

Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Sally Edwards

Address:

New Cross Hospital
Wolverhampton Road
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV10 0QP

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr WIll Carroll

Address:

Royal Stoke University Hospital
Newcastle Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 6QG

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Atul Gupta

Address:

King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS

NHS Tayside

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Jonathan McCormick

Address:

Tayside Children’s Hospital
NHS Tayside
Ninewells
Dundee
DD1 9SY

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Prakash Kamath

Address:

Royal Oldham Hospital
Rochdale Road
Oldham
OL1 2JH

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Nakul Gupta

Address:

Nevill Hall Hospital
Brecon Road
Abergavenny
NP7 7EG

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Arshid Murad

Address:

The James Cook University Hospital
Marton Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Mari-Clare Wilson

Address:

Capital House
Jubilee Way
Faversham
Kent
ME13 8GD

NHS Highland

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Salim Ghayyda

Address:

Raigmore Hospital
Old Perth Road
Inverness
IV2 3UJ

Betsi Cadwaladr University (BCU) Health Board

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Liz Richards

Address:

Wrexham Maelor Hospital
Paediatric Department
Croesnewydd Road
Wrexham
LL13 7TD

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Michael Yanney

Address:

King's Mill Hospital
Mansfield Rd
Sutton-in-Ashfield
NG17 4JL

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Vineeth Cheruvalli

Address:

Scunthorpe General Hospital
Cliff Gardens
Scunthorpe
DN15 7BH

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Sonal Kansra

Address:

Sheffield Children's Hospital
Clinical Research Facility
Sheffield
S10 2TH

St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Lakshmi Chilukuri

Address:

Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot
L355 5DR

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Haji Sheeraz Khan

Address:

Hull Royal Infirmary
Anlaby Road
Hull
HU3 2JZ

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust: University Hospital of North Tees

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Khairy Gad

Address:

University Hospital of North Tees
Hardwick Road
Stockton-on-Tees
TS19 8PE

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Dennis Corbett

Address:

Royal Blackburn Hospital
Haslingden Road
Blackburn
BB2 3HH

NHS Forth Valley

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr George Nagiub

Address:

Forth Valley Royal Hospital
Stirling Road
Larbert
FK5 4WR

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Elinor Thomason

Address:

Halton General Hospital
Hospital way
Runcorn
WA7 2DA

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Shoma Ganguly

Address:

Doncaster Royal Infirmary
West Block
Armthrope Road
Doncaster
DN2 5LT

NHS Ayrshire & Arran

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Natalie Connell

Address:

University Hospital Crosshouse
Crosshouse
Kilmarnock
KA2 0BE

Royal Bolton Hospital

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Susan Glass

Address:

Royal Bolton Hospital
Minerva Road
Farnworth
BL4 0JR

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Nada Ibrahim

Address:

St Richard's Hospital
Spitalfield Lane
Chichester
PO19 6SE

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Anna Mathew

Address:

Worthing Hospital
Lyndhurst Road
Worthing
BN11 2DH

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Mudiyur Gopi

Address:

Macclesfield District General Hospital
Victoria Road
Macclesfield
SK10 3BL

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Helen Purves

Address:

Fountain St
Ashton Under Lyne
OL6 9RW

Combs Ford Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Kayleigh Weedon

Address:

Combs Lane
Stowmarket
IP14 2SY

Stowhealth

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Kayleigh Weedon

Address:

Violet Hill House
Violet Hill Road
Stowmarket
IP14 1NL

Ranworth Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Saima Qurban

Address:

103 Pier Avenue
Clacton on Sea
Essex
CO15 1NJ

Hailey View Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Rob Mayson

Address:

39 Christian Close
Hoddesdon
EN11 9FF

Amwell Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Yasmin Al-Sam

Address:

Fawkon Walk
Hoddesdon
Herts
EN11 8FG

Warden Lodge Medical Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Raza Rashid

Address:

Glen Luce
Cheshunt
Herts
EN8 8NW

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Neelmanee Ramphul

Address:

QE Hospital
Sheriff Hill
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE9 6SX

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Investigator:

Dr Imogen Rose

Address:

Ipswich Hospital
Heath Road
Ipswich
IP4 5PD

Study news

Recruitment

448/550

Trial sites

Latest addition to sites:

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                                      East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust
                                  
                                      County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
                                  
                                      Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
                                  
                                      Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
                                  
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Key facts about the study and documents

What is this study about?

The local research teams at the hospitals/GP practices that are taking part in the SPIROMAC study may approach you about taking part in the study.

But if you think your child is eligible for the study, and would like to take part, please do get in touch with us at spiromac@abdn.ac.uk or telephone 01224 438089 / 438084 / 438199 and we will put you in touch with your local research team.

The SPIROMAC study will answer the question “In children with asthma does spirometry and symptom guided treatment, compared to symptom guided treatment alone, reduce the number of asthma attacks?”

To answer this question, children who take part in SPIROMAC will be put into one of two groups:
• A group where their asthma preventer treatment is guided only by their asthma symptoms
OR
• A group where their asthma preventer treatment is guided by both their asthma symptoms and spirometry.

Children who take part in SPIROMAC will be in the study for 12 months, and during this time, they will be seen by their local research team every three months.

You can read more about the SPIROMAC study in the participant information leaflet below.

You can find out more information about SPIROMAC here:

Download documents:

SPIROMAC PIL 12 - 15 years, v2, 9 May 2022 ()

SPIROMAC PIL 6 - 8 years, v1, 9 May 2022 ()

SPIROMAC PIL 9 - 11 years, v 2, 9 May 2022 ()

SPIROMAC: Participant Information Leaflet parent (secondary care), v2.0, 09 May 2022 (2)

SPIROMAC short PIL (secondary care), v1, 31 March 2023 ()

Key contacts

Click on cards to find out more

Key questions & answers

Click on questions to find out more

Organisation

Funding acknowledgement

This project (NIHR 129819) is funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme, an MRC and NIHR partnership. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the MRC, NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The project is run by the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Participant Information

University of Aberdeen/NHS Grampian is the sponsor for this study based in the United Kingdom. We will be using information from you and your medical records in order to undertake this study and will act as the data controller for this study. This means that we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. University of Aberdeen/NHS Grampian will keep identifiable information about you at least 10 years after the study has finished.

Your rights to access, change or move your information are limited, as we need to manage your information in specific ways in order for the research to be reliable and accurate. If you withdraw from the study, we will keep the information about you that we have already obtained. To safeguard your rights, we will use the minimum personally-identifiable information possible.

You can find out more about how we use your information here : https://www.abdn.ac.uk/about/privacy/research-participants-938.php or by contacting the Data Protection office at dpa@abdn.ac.uk

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WELCOME TO THE SPIROMAC STUDY

SPIROmetry to Manage Asthma in Children

What is SPIROMAC?

Can I take part?

If you are interested in taking part, or have any questions?

Where can I take part?

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