A new research study aims to uncover the risk indicators for thunderstorm asthma

Thunderstorm asthma, together with seasonal allergies and asthma, continues to be of serious public health concern in Australia, with increased emergency asthma presentations due to ryegrass pollen during spring.

On high-risk days, the worst of those cases may experience thunderstorm asthma. But two-thirds of people who present to hospital for thunderstorm asthma-related emergencies are unaware that they had asthma.

A new research trial, led by the University of Melbourne in partnership with the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), hopes to identify risk indicators, or biomarkers, of severe springtime allergies and thunderstorm asthma through a simple blood test and by asking participants to track symptoms in web-based diary.

Lead investigator and University of Melbourne Professor Jo Douglass AO, who is also the Executive Director of Research at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) says: 

“Identifying biomarkers of asthma risk for the one-in-five people who suffer from hay fever will enable doctors to direct asthma care to those most at risk of asthma and hopefully prevent springtime asthma flareups.”

The CARISTA (Creating A Risk assessment biomarker tool to prevent Seasonal and Thunderstorm Asthma) study will follow 530 participants in southeast Australia over two hay fever seasons.

At the start of the study, participants will have their baseline asthma symptoms recorded, undergo a respiratory function test and blood test to identify any allergy biomarkers – such as sensitivities to ryegrass pollen and level of inflammatory cells.

Over the course of two years, participants will then record their symptoms using a secure electronic diary, which will reveal what biomarkers are linked to moderate and severe asthma exacerbations.

By uncovering those biomarkers, researchers aim to develop new protective strategies to combat springtime asthma and reduce the recurrent threat of thunderstorm asthma.

Co-investigator Dr Rachel Tham, a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne and Honorary at the RMH, highlighted the risk pollen season poses to the community.

“With grass pollen seasons lengthening along with more frequent thunderstorm activity due to global warming, the risk of severe springtime asthma is increasing across many groups in our community,” she said.

Each year in Australia, there are up to 450 asthma-related deaths – of which two-thirds are likely to be preventable.

“CARISTA will allow us to identify the clinical risks for allergic asthma exacerbations and therefore work to prevent seasonal surges of allergic asthma,” Prof Douglass added.

This study brings together a team of world-leading multidisciplinary and researchers – led by The University of Melbourne in partnership with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Alfred Health, Austin Health, Monash Health, Eastern Health, Albury Wodonga Health, Northern Health, Western Health, Queensland University of Technology, and AirHealth.

The CARISTA study is seeking participants aged 18 to 70 who experience springtime hay fever. Further information can be found on the University of Melbourne website.