(GU Ref no: 2019/474)
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hayfever, include nasal congestion and itching and are a burden for an estimated 3.2 million Australians. Hayfever contributes to increased healthcare costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life. Probiotics have shown benefit for the symptoms associated with hayfever.
The aim of this research is to examine the effect of a probiotic on symptoms and quality of life in individuals suffering from hayfever.
Eligibility
The study is seeking individuals that:
- are between 18 – 65 years old
- Have more than 2 years history of moderate to severe persistent hayfever;
- Have moderate to severe hayfever as rated by the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) criteria ;
- Have a positive radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) to Bermuda (couch) grass.
What would I be asked to do? How much time would it take?
Potential participants will be screened for eligibility criteria on the phone. Participation will involve confirmation of your allergy status via a blood test and then being randomly allocated to either a probiotic or placebo group to consume a supplement for 8 weeks.
During this supplement period you will be asked to complete daily symptom and medication diaries to track your symptoms.
Given that probiotics work through modulating the gut bacteria, you will also be invited to provide a faecal sample for assessment of the diversity and composition of your gut bacteria if this is of interest to you.
A subset of individuals who are local to the Gold Coast site will also be invited to provide additional samples to allow for profiling of immune activities from with the nasal passages, by way of nasal wash.
How can I volunteer or found out more?
Please visit the survey page to register your interest and complete a pre-screening questionnaire: https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-health/clinical-trial-unit/allergic-rhinitis-study Alternatively, you can contact the Probiotic Allergy Study Team on [email protected] or 0422381424 for more information.
