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BronchiEctasis Trial Testing ERdosteine (BETTER)

Evaluating the effect of erdosteine on respiratory exacerbation rate of children and adults with bronchiectasis - a double-blind, randomised controlled trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12621000315819
Acronym
BETTER
Enrollment
205
Registered
2021-03-22
Start date
2021-05-27
Completion date
2024-09-13
Last updated
2024-09-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Bronchiectasis is a commonly seen chronic lung disease in our inpatient and outpatient services. The unmet needs of people with bronchiectasis are huge, with relatively few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and evidence-based interventions. This RCT aims to improve the outcomes of children and young adults with bronchiectasis. It will examine the benefits (or otherwise) of a novel medication, erdosteine. Erdosteine’s effects include (a) mucolytic action, modulation of mucus production and increasing muco-ciliary transport; with (b) antioxidant; (c) airway anti-inflammatory and; (d) bacterial anti-adhesion properties. This RCT will answer: In children and adults aged <49 years with bronchiectasis, does 12 months treatment with erdosteine, compared to placebo, (i) reduce acute respiratory exacerbations and/or (ii) improve quality of life (QoL). The RCT will also determine the cost-effectiveness of the treatment.

Interventions

Erdosteine: Oral twice daily doses for 12 months [<15 kg = 2.5mls/dose; 15-19 kg = 5mls/dose; 20-30 kg = 7.5ml/dose (or one capsule in children who can take capsules); >30 kg = 10ml/dose (or one capsule in participants who can take capsules)]. The formulation for liquid is powder for suspension. Adherence will be monitored by return of bottles or capsule packaging. In a subset of participants, we will also evaluate if inflammatory and/or microbial biomarkers will identify pathways and/or pred

Erdosteine: Oral twice daily doses for 12 months [<15 kg = 2.5mls/dose; 15-19 kg = 5mls/dose; 20-30 kg = 7.5ml/dose (or one capsule in children who can take capsules); >30 kg = 10ml/dose (or one capsule in participants who can take capsules)]. The formulation for liquid is powder for suspension. Adherence will be monitored by return of bottles or capsule packaging. In a subset of participants, we will also evaluate if inflammatory and/or microbial biomarkers will identify pathways and/or predict those at greater risk of recurrent respiratory exacerbations. These outcomes will not be reported in the RCT. Participants for this component will be based on whether they consent to these additional procedures (sputum and blood). Where possible, bloods and sputum will be taken at baseline and at commencement of an exacerbation.

Sponsors

Queensland University of Technology
Lead SponsorUniversity

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
2 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Participants aged 2 to 49 years 2. Bronchiectasis with at least 2 acute respiratory exacerbations in the last 18 months AND 3. Able to be contacted for the 15 month follow up period.

Exclusion criteria

1. Cystic fibrosis 2. Contraindication to erdosteine use (e.g. liver dysfunction, hypersensitivity, renal failure, deficiency of the cystathionine-synthetase enzyme, phenylketonuria, active peptic ulcer) 3. Pregnant, pregnancy planned (in next 12 months) or nursing mothers 4. Previously randomised 5. Hospitalised in the last 4 weeks for respiratory instability 6. Participation in another intervention concurrent RCT.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 6, 2026