Asthma-Dx: A platform for investigating novel diagnostic techniques to improve asthma diagnosis in primary care
The Asthma-Dx study aims to find better ways to diagnose asthma early in GP practices. Currently, diagnosing asthma can be tricky because symptoms vary, and tests might not always show clear results, which can be frustrating. This study will look at new tests and compare them to the standard methods. The goal is to help people get a quicker and more accurate asthma diagnosis. Getting diagnosed promptly means treatment can start sooner, which is important for managing symptoms and preventing serious asthma attacks and potential long-term lung damage. It involves people with suspected asthma and healthy volunteers aged 18-59.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes coughing, breathlessness, and wheezing, which can change over time. It can be quite hard to diagnose because there isn't one simple test that tells you if you have it. Doctors usually rely on your symptoms and a few breathing tests, like spirometry. However, because your symptoms can come and go, these tests might not always show clear signs of asthma when you have them done.
This can be really frustrating for patients, and it means people might go undiagnosed for longer than they should. If asthma isn't diagnosed and treated promptly, it can lead to more serious breathing problems, including severe asthma attacks, and potentially even long-term damage to the lungs. This study wants to help solve this problem by exploring new and better ways to detect asthma earlier.
The Asthma-Dx study will look at various new tests and compare them to the usual methods currently used by doctors. By doing this, researchers hope to discover clearer and more reliable ways to diagnose asthma. The aim is to make the diagnostic process smoother and quicker in the future, ensuring that people with suspected asthma can get a definite answer and effective treatment as soon as possible.
Key takeaways
- Aims to improve asthma diagnosis in GP surgeries.
- Compares new tests with current methods for better accuracy.
- Involves adults (18-59) with suspected asthma and healthy volunteers.
- Participation includes questionnaires, GP consultations, and various breathing tests.
- Could lead to quicker and clearer asthma diagnoses in the future.
- Funded by Asthma Lung UK and NIHR.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for two main groups of people. Firstly, if you are aged between 18 and 59 and have symptoms like coughing, breathlessness, or wheezing that your GP thinks might be asthma, you could be eligible. Your GP would normally want to do more tests to find out if you have asthma.
Secondly, the study also needs healthy volunteers, also aged 18 to 59. These are people who don't have any current lung symptoms and haven't been told they have asthma or any other long-term breathing condition. They will help by providing a comparison for the results.
You would not be able to take part if you currently smoke (this includes cigarettes, cannabis, and e-cigarettes, unless you've smoked very little in your life and stopped over a year ago). Also, if you already have a diagnosed long-term breathing condition, are pregnant, or have other medical conditions or treatments that affect your breathing or immune system (like regular inhaled steroids, but not nasal sprays or occasional reliever inhalers), you would not be able to join. We would also need to wait at least six weeks after any course of oral steroids before you could participate.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 18 and 59 years old?
- Do you have symptoms like coughing, breathlessness, or wheezing that your GP suspects might be asthma (or are you a healthy volunteer with no lung symptoms)?
- Are you a non-smoker (or stopped smoking over a year ago if you’ve smoked very little)?
- Do you NOT have a pre-existing long-term breathing condition like diagnosed asthma?
- Are you NOT currently pregnant?
- Are you NOT regularly using an inhaled steroid or certain other medications?
What does participation involve?
If you are invited to take part, you will be referred to the study before you start any asthma treatments, as medications can affect test results. The study will involve filling out questionnaires about your symptoms and having a chat with a research GP. You'll then undergo the usual asthma diagnostic tests, plus a range of new tests in person. You'll also be asked to keep a peak flow diary at home for two weeks and use some new home self-monitoring devices. Healthy volunteers will complete similar tests.
For participants with suspected asthma, your test results will be shared with your own GP to guide any further treatment you might need. An expert group will then review all the results to determine if asthma is likely, unlikely, or uncertain. This whole process, including the extra tests for the study, will add about 2 to 3 hours to the time you'd usually spend on asthma-related appointments, spread across potential visits and home monitoring over two weeks. Your ongoing medical care will continue to be managed by your GP.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- -Unverified-, England
Common questions
What is the main goal of this study?
The main goal is to find better and faster ways to diagnose asthma in GP surgeries, so people can get treatment sooner.
Who is funding this research?
This research is funded by Asthma Lung UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research.
Will I get my test results?
If you have suspected asthma, your test results will be shared with your own GP to help guide your treatment.
How long will I need to be involved in the study?
The study involves in-person assessments and two weeks of home monitoring, with the main data collection taking place from April to December 2026.
Can I still participate if I use a 'reliever' inhaler sometimes?
Yes, occasional use of 'reliever' inhalers (like salbutamol) is allowed. However, regular use of inhaled steroids would mean you can't join.
How to find out more
Johanna Cook
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
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