APEX study: helping to understand asthma attacks

If you decide you would like to take part in this study, the team will ask you to attend several study visits to have tests performed. The total length of the study is four years.

All the visits will take place at the Nottingham Asthma Centre, which is part of the Nottingham Respiratory Research Unit, located at Nottingham City Hospital. The team will try to arrange the visits at a time and day that is convenient for you and free parking is available at the unit. You should take all your medications as usual, including your inhalers, on the day of each visit and during your involvement in the study.

If you agree to take part in the study, the team will ask you to:

• Attend an initial visit, which will last about 2.5 hours.
• Attend a visit at the end of each year you are in the study, which will last about 2 hours.
• If, during the study, your asthma gets worse or you start to develop an asthma attack, the team will arrange another visit as soon as possible, to assess how bad the attack is and provide you with any additional treatment they think you need. Hopefully this may avoid you having to make an appointment with your GP.
• With your consent, the research team will also send you a monthly reminder by text asking you to contact them if you feel your asthma symptoms are worsening.
• Finally, we would also like to keep in touch with you every 3 months to provide you with study updates.

Your participation will help to improve understanding of asthma attacks, and potentially lead to lifesaving treatments for asthma patients. The team also hope that you may gain a better personal understanding of your asthma and asthma attacks and that by taking part you can avoid having to make an appointment with your GP.

For site visits, the study is able to cover travel expenses or arrange a taxi if necessary.

Adults with asthma of any severity.