Investigators
Kathryn Ramsey, André Schultz, Luke Garratt, Yuliya Karpievitch, Alana Harper, Julia Casella, Craig Schofield, Grace Pettigrew
Project description
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease that impairs quality of life and reduces life expectancy. Patients experience chronic wet cough and recurrent pulmonary exacerbations often requiring hospitalisation. While the prevalence of bronchiectasis has increased globally in past decades, it remains one of the most underdiagnosed and neglected lung diseases in children and adults worldwide.
The majority of adults with bronchiectasis will have symptoms in childhood and childhood bronchiectasis may be reversible with early diagnosis and effective treatment in childhood.
The overarching objective of this study is to improve the health outcomes of children with bronchiectasis. We will do this through investigating the early mechanisms of disease, identifying treatable traits and endo-phenotypes of disease, and proposing personalised treatment strategies. Early and effective treatment of bronchiectasis in childhood will ultimately lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life throughout life.
Funders
NHMRC
External collaborators
Crystal Bourke (Perth Children’s Hospital), Mark Nicol (University of Western Australia)