ARCA

Durada

01/01/2026 - 31/07/2028

Coordinador

Montse Ferrer Forés (Consorci Mar Parc de Salut de Barcelona)

Finançadors

ISCIII-FIS

Project Objective

To assess the evolution of persistent asthma from childhood to post-puberty in both boys and girls. The study evaluates remission rates and other key clinical outcomes (including lung function, exacerbations, symptom control, and quality of life) while examining the associated clinical, environmental, and social factors.

Methodology and Participants

ARCA (NCT04480242) is a longitudinal, prospective, multicenter, observational study. The cohort includes 367 patients aged 6–14 years with a clinical diagnosis of persistent asthma (treated with inhaled corticosteroids for over 6 months in the previous year) and no concomitant respiratory diseases. Participants were recruited across 7 Spanish autonomous communities between 2018 and 2023.

Data Sources and Follow-Up

The project integrates multi-factorial data collected through three primary streams:

• Digital Health: A dedicated ARCA smartphone application used by patients to monitor exacerbations and quality of life.
• Patient Tracking: Computer-assisted telephone interviews conducted every 6 months to assess symptom control, treatment adherence, inhalation technique, and patient beliefs.
• Clinical Records: Medical history monitoring, including lung function tests, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), allergen sensitization tests, and immunotherapy.

Environmental Exposure Assessment

In addition to clinical data, the study utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) tools based on participants' home addresses to estimate environmental exposures, including air pollution, the built environment, green/blue spaces, extreme temperatures, and airborne allergens.

Total Funding

127.500 €