RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Crystal Parry
Intern/Mentor
2017-2018

Title: Asthma Avalanche: The Causes of the Rise in Asthma Diagnoses in Asthma Patients

Overview of Research:

This research aims to study the causes of atopic asthma in pediatric patients. There are a number
of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of asthma, including a
surplus of IgE antibodies that leads to hypersensitivity as well as amount of exposure to allergens
in the surrounding environment. The researcher will use meta-analysis of other studies as well of
a survey of patients exhibiting symptoms of asthma to create an informational pamphlet that will
bring awareness to allergy testing in the diagnosis of atopic asthma.

Background and Rationale:

Asthma is a chronic disease in which the airways are inflamed in reaction to allergens or other
irritants. When an asthma attack becomes severe, the airways can be closed so tightly that
oxygen is not able to circulate the body and travel to vital organs. Symptoms such as coughing,
wheezing, and tightness in the chest often occurs early in the morning or late at night in most
individuals (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, n.d.). In recent times, the
number of children that either have been born with asthma, or develop it later in life has
increased significantly. The diagnosis for asthma has been more specific as a result. Currently
doctors diagnose patients as either having allergy asthma, or non-allergy asthma, in order to
signify which patients suffer from asthma symptoms that are caused by allergens. Although there
are a number of factors that contribute to the possible development of asthma in children,
researchers have been able to determine that there is a difference in the number of antibodies in a
normal child in comparison with a children with asthma related conditions. As a result, research
into these specific antibodies, IgE antibodies, may help to determine if there is a genetic
predisposition in children born with asthma.

However strong the genetic factors, the expression of a gene causing IgE sensitivity depends on
environmental factors as well. Mast cells are responsible for releasing histamine into the immune
system when an individual is exposed to allergens that result in an allergic reaction. So when IgE
increases sensitivity, it also increases something called hapten in the immune system. Hapten
prevents the release of antibodies that fight off invading allergens, which can prolong the allergic
reaction (Chadwick & Goode, 2006). Therefore, research into the allergens that affect atopic
patients most will also contribute to the research of finding a cause for atopic asthma.

Since pediatric asthma has become so prevalent amongst today's youth, investigating its causes is
important. Currently, there is not a set cause for asthma, or pediatric asthma in particular, so it
makes it difficult for asthma patients to be treated. Many have to use a trial and error method
when trying to determine what medications alleviate their asthma symptoms the best. The

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investigation of the causes of asthma would shed light on the ways asthma may be inherited and
how it can be better treated in young children.

Research Methodology:

Research Question: What characteristics denote that an individual is genetically predisposed to

expressing an atopic asthma phenotype during early childhood?

Research Hypothesis:
Observing the reaction and response of an individual to various allergens during allergy test, as
well as their level of IgE antibodies present in their immune systems will provide doctors with
enough information to make the correct diagnosis. For individuals who are at risk for asthma, the
combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the expression of asthma. To
ignore the atopy, or allergy, that contributes to the generation of the disease prevents many
patients from getting the correct diagnosis at an earlier stage of childhood.

Research Design Model:

Quantitative research is the approach that will be used to collect data, and will be implemented
using a correlational design model. This model was chosen since a correlation has yet to be
determined between having atopic asthma and having a sensitized immune system. The
independent variable in this correlational study is the having a high level of IgE sensitivity and
response to allergens. The dependent variable would be the development of atopic asthma in a
young patient. IgE sensitivity usually develops in the immune system of a fetus, in which there is
a surplus of IgE antibodies. Atopic asthma is a specific type of asthma in which the constriction
of the airways is induced by allergens from the surrounding environment.

Data Collection:
For data collection, a combination of meta-analysis of four different sources and survey for
patients suffering from asthma will be used. This will be the most ideal method, since numerical
data will be the most convincing way of proving that there is a link between allergy and asthma
in pediatric patients. A combination of these two methods is necessary because there may be
information that is lacking in either that can be supplemented by the other source of data.

Product Objectives:

To showcase the information that is uncovered, a informational pamphlet will be created that can
be placed at the internship site. Putting useful information about the importance of genetic and
environmental factors that can be used to diagnose children who are deemed to be at risk for
developing asthma. A pamphlet found right in the doctor’s office is easily accessible to patients
and their parents and will be a quick resource they can be directed to in order to find more
information on the type of asthma they may be suffering from.

The targeted audience that the pamphlet will be directed at parents of children who are at risk or
have already developed asthma that is suspected to be induced by allergens. Since parents and
guardians are the primary caretakers of their children, it is important that they have access to the

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right information that would encourage them to seek the proper allergy tests that would confirm
they in fact have a form of atopic asthma.

Logistical Considerations:

In conducting research, there may be some limitations in obtaining full articles that can be used
for meta-analysis without paying for them. Using many databases to uncover these sources will
be necessary in order to avoid this issue. Additionally, a survey that is conducted on the patients
will have to be approved by both the mentor and the parents or guardians of the children
beforehand to maintain privacy and follow the HIPAA guidelines.

In third quarter, a timeline will be added that outlines the data collection, product development,
and audience distribution.

References:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. (n.d.). Asthma defined. In Conditions
dictionary. Retrieved October 5, 2017, from https://tinyurl.com/ybyzozy6

Chadwick, D. J., & Goode, J. A. (Eds.). (2006). Mast cells and basophils: Development,
activation and roles in allergic/autoimmune disease. Retrieved from
https://tinyurl.com/yd8z2hgt

Approval:

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