Pregnancy is a time filled with excitement and a myriad of considerations. For expectant mothers managing asthma, the journey can often feel like an uphill struggle. In a significant development for these women, Queanbeyan Hospital has become the first rural location to engage in the National Health and Medical Research Council's Treatable Traits in Pregnancy (TTAP) Study, which aims to better understand how asthma is affected during pregnancy.
Leading this initiative at the Queanbeyan site is Midwife Alexandra Overton, who emphasizes that the research team approaches the study from a "more holistic and dynamic" perspective. This comprehensive approach means considering not just the asthma symptoms but also the broader context of the women's health.
Initially launched in 2024 as a pilot program, the TTAP Study has now expanded to include various sites across New South Wales and Victoria, with Queanbeyan being noted as the most rural among them. According to Ms. Overton, this rural setting offers unique insights that can enrich the data collected, lending a more rounded understanding of the issues at hand.
Throughout the study, pregnant participants will attend three scheduled visits where they will explore how their individual "treatable traits"—factors that could exacerbate asthma symptoms—impact their condition. "The majority of our focus will revolve around understanding symptoms, assessing inhaler techniques, and providing personalized feedback," explains Ms. Overton. These appointments also allow researchers to monitor any changes in asthma control over time.
Moreover, advanced equipment will be utilized during the visits to measure inflammation, carbon monoxide levels, and lung capacity, all while ensuring that the women’s standard maternity care remains unchanged.
Initial findings from the Queanbeyan branch hint at a possible link between asthma and hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition characterized by severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Additionally, the study looks into connections with common pregnancy-related issues such as reflux and anxiety. "We are keen on distinguishing between the overlapping symptoms of these conditions and asthma," says Ms. Overton. By doing so, the research aims to identify correlations throughout the course of pregnancy.
Each year, approximately 60 women with asthma receive prenatal care at Queanbeyan Hospital. Many of these women require consistent management strategies to mitigate potential health complications. "Asthma has been associated with increased risks of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restrictions, and premature births, all of which we strive to prevent," Ms. Overton notes. She points out that effective management during pregnancy can significantly lower the risk of these adverse outcomes, not only for mothers but also for their children, who may face heightened risks for atopic diseases such as eczema, asthma, and allergies later in life.
Ms. Overton stresses the importance of including rural communities in research and clinical trials, noting that many large-scale studies tend to focus exclusively on urban settings. “While urban-centric studies are valuable, they can overlook critical nuances that are vital in rural and regional areas,” she adds.
For anyone interested in participating in this pivotal research, the team welcomes inquiries and can be contacted at 0407 424 711 or via email at alexandramarie.reynolds@health.nsw.gov.au. This stage of the TTAP Study is set to conclude in March 2027.
