The National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE), hosted at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), has collaborated with 17 Australian general practices and allergy clinics to launch the ARISE trial for young people with hay fever.
The trial targets 14 to 29-year-olds suffering from hay fever, also referred to as allergic rhinitis.
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It is designed to assess if an education package along with nasal spray usage daily by the subjects can help them reduce symptoms and enhance their quality of life.
The trial’s education package, developed by NACE “experts” in partnership with the Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA), the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), and the National Allergy Council (NAC), focuses on enhancing young subjects’ understanding and adherence to the proper use of intranasal steroid sprays.
Subjects will get weekly electronic alerts containing usage instructions for their spray, regional pollen counts, symptom management tips, and updates on the latest research.
Over a three-month period, they will engage in three online surveys and video calls with the research team to track their progress.
The study researchers will compare the outcomes of the group receiving the education package against those who were solely given their doctor’s standard education.
The Federal Government-funded NACE will analyse the trial’s outcomes to determine its success.
To be eligible, the participants must be recommended a combination nasal spray for their treatment and prescribed an ASCIA Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Plan.
The recruitment capacity at each site will vary based on demand and available resources. Participating sites span across Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, New South Wales (NSW), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Trial co-chief investigator and Campbelltown Hospital, NSW allergist professor Connie Katelaris said: “There is no cure for hay fever, but with the correct treatment you can control it. The problem is up to 70% of people with hay fever don’t seek medical care and those that do aren’t using nasal sprays properly.”
