Research Studies at the University of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute

University of Pittsburgh Asthma Registry:

The University of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute at UPMC/UPSOM aims to improve the understanding and treatment of asthma/allergic diseases and to implement improved approaches throughout the asthma community. A centerpiece of the Asthma Institute is the patient registry, a group of interested patients with asthma, who wish to be notified of new trials for which they may qualify. Registry patients participate in the collection of information about their disease, including basic screening questions, lung function testing, and a blood sample. Registry patients have enabled the Asthma Institute to be a national leader in the discovery of new treatment options for patients with asthma. The Asthma Institute is currently looking for individuals over 18 years of age with a current diagnosis of asthma who do not smoke. No more than an hour and a half of your time is needed to join the University of Pittsburgh Asthma Research Registry and you will be compensated $20 plus parking. For more information, call 1-866-804-5278 or email asthmainstitute@upmc.edu.

 

THE ASTHMA INSTITUTE IS CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR THE FOLLOWING STUDIES:

Investigational Drug Study

If you are experiencing asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, or coughing and have been taking medication to try to manage your symptoms, you may want to consider participating in a clinical research study.

The research study is examining the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a new investigational study drug for asthma.

You may be eligible for the study if you:

All qualified study participants will receive the study-related drugs and tests and procedures at no charge. Participants may be compensated for travel to and from clinic visits. Your asthma condition will be closely monitored during the study. There are important things you should know about the potential benefits and risks of participating that the study doctor will explain to you. To learn more, and to find out if the study may be an option for you, please call the Asthma Institute at 1-866-804-5278. Please refer to the “Merck Study” when calling.

Non-Investigational Drug Studies

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute are looking for volunteers to participate in an asthma research study to collect biological samples.

If you are a non-smoking adult between the ages 18-60 with or without a diagnosis of asthma and otherwise in good health, you may be eligible to participate.

The study includes 3-6 office visits at Montefiore Hospital located in Oakland. All study related procedures, including bronchoscopy and lung function evaluations, blood tests and breathing tests will be performed at no cost. A bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves passing a flexible tube (a bronchoscope) through your mouth and into your lungs. If you qualify you may be compensated for your time and travel.

For more information call the University of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute at 1-866-804-5278. Please refer to the "Microbiome Study" when calling.

Got Asthma?

Currently, Dr. Wenzel is looking for men and women who are:

The research study involves visits over a 4 – 6 week period plus follow-up:

Compensation and parking provided. To learn more, call 1-866-804-5278.

VIDA Research Study (Vitamin D)

As featured during Dr. Maria's interview with Dr. Sally Wenzel on KDKA.
click here to see Dr. Wenzels interview.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are looking for volunteers to participate in a research study evaluating the effects of Vitamin D for the treatment of Asthma. The purpose of the study is to find out if taking vitamin D in addition to an asthma controller medication helps to prevent worsening of asthma symptoms and asthma attacks. Participants must be 18 years and up, have a diagnosis of asthma and are non-smokers. Study involves 11 visits across 35 weeks (about 9 months) at UPMC Montefiore Hospital in Oakland.

Visits include the following:

Two initial screening visits will determine your eligibility to participate in this study. If you qualify, you will be compensated for every visit you complete. If you complete the entire study your total compensation rate could be up to $1010 plus parking. For more information contact the University Of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute at 1-866-804-5278.

EFADA (Electrophilic fatty acid derivatives in asthma)

We are looking for volunteers to participate in an asthma research study to collect biological samples. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, do not currently smoke, have a diagnosis of asthma, and are otherwise in good health, you may be eligible to participate. Subjects with a mild to moderate asthma diagnosis will be asked to participate in this study. Participation will be for approximately 2 weeks (3-4 office visits) however, the time may vary depending on scheduling conflicts.

All office visits are conducted at UPMC Montefiore Hospital located in Oakland. All study related procedures, including two bronchoscopies and lung function evaluations, blood tests and breathing tests will be performed at no cost. If you qualify you may be compensated up to $530 for your time and travel. To learn more, contact The Asthma Institute at 1-866-804-5278.

 

Pediatric Studies

UPMC is conducting a research study to learn more about asthma and the treatment of asthma in children. We are looking for children with asthma aged 6 – 17 who are physically healthy. Study participants will be followed up to 3.5 years and will undergo:

In addition, research study participants will receive a physical exam, a steroid shot for asthma, and will be asked to complete various asthma questionnaires. The research study includes:

Participants will be compensated for their time and parking will also be provided at no cost. To learn more, please call Paul Rebovich at 412-692-5873 or email Paul.Rebovich@chp.edu.

INFANT/AVICA (Individualized Therapy for Asthma in Toddlers)/ (Acetaminophen versus Ibuprofen in Children with Asthma)

The purpose of this research study is to find out if one asthma treatment works better than another in toddlers. Another purpose is to see if there is something about a child that help doctors predict which treatment would work better.

It is possible that medications used to treat fever or body aches such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen work differently in children with Asthma. There is a study looking at this question and is call the AVICA study. If you join the INFANT study, you must also join the AVICA study.

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is one of 9 clinical centers in the country doing this study. Children invited to participate in these studies must be between 12-59 months (1 year to almost 5 years old) and is healthy other than having asthma.

A child participating in this research study will undergo physical exams, questionnaires, blood, urine and nasal mucus sampling, and asked to complete a symptom diary. This study has 8 scheduled visits and 6 scheduled study phone calls. Study participation will last up to 13 months. For more information please call Katie at 412-692-8929.