Effect of Statins on Asthma Control in Smokers With Asthma

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2009-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs.

There is evidence that cigarette smoking can make asthma symptoms worse and that smokers with asthma do not respond as well to standard therapies as non-smokers.

Statins are drugs which are already used to lower cholesterol. They have also been shown to have some anti-inflammatory properties.

In this trial the investigators will give a randomised group of smokers Atorvastatin and the remaining group a placebo or blank tablet. The investigators will then monitor patients' responses in terms of peak flow data, symptom diaries, questionnaires and breathing tests.

• Phase: Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: NHS Greater Clyde and Glasgow
• Collaborators: Medical Research Council; University of Glasgow
• Treatments: Atorvastatin; Atorvastatin Calcium

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of asthma for more than 1 year

• Symptomatic asthma

• Smoker with greater than 5 pack year history

• On short acting bronchodilator only- although may have medication weaned if stable

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ex-smokers or non-smokers

• Patients already on statin therapy

• Unstable asthma

• Previous statin sensitivity or myopathy or myositis

• On any medications known to interact with statins

Note separate entry criteria for pilot study of COPD patients