Stress and Treatment Response in Puerto Rican and African American Children with Asthma (STAR)

The Stress and Treatment Response in Puerto Rican and African American Children with Asthma Study (STAR) was a 6-week study of response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in youth aged 8-20 years recruited at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Center and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from June 5, 2018 to May 16, 2022. At a baseline visit, participants completed questionnaires and underwent collection of nasal specimens. After nasal sampling, participants were treated with daily medium-dose inhaled Mometasone for 6 weeks, with adherence measured using a dose-counter. Spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements were conducted at baseline and after 6 weeks of ICS. STAR was approved by the institutional review boards (IRBs) of the University of Puerto Rico and the University of Pittsburgh. Written parental consent and assent were obtained from participants < 18 years old, and written consent was obtained from participants ≥ 18 years old. ]]>
Inclusion:Having ≥ 3 Puerto Rican or ≥ 3 African American grandparents (per parental report)Physician-diagnosed mild to moderate persistent asthmaNo use of nasal, inhaled, or systemic corticosteroids for ≥ 4 weeksNo current smoking and no former smoking history ≥ 5 pack-yearNo upper respiratory infection (URI) for ≥ 4 weeks. ]]>