The BETTER trial is an international multicentre randomised controlled trial examining whether erdosteine over a 12 month period can reduce acute lung flare-ups in people with bronchiectasis. We will also determine if the regular use of erdosteine can improve their quality of life and lung function, as well as the cost-effectiveness the intervention.

BETTER is being carried out across 4 Australian states (Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria), Malaysia and the Philippines. It is a consumer co-designed study in conjunction with the Brisbane-based Parent Advisory Group and is supported by the Darwin-based First Nations Reference Group. The study leaders are across these sites. 

The study is funded by competitive grants from the USA Thrasher Foundation, Queensland Children's Foundation and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). We plan to enrol 174 children and young adults with bronchiectasis where approximately will receive the study medications and the other half will not.

Results from this study potentially lead to the prevention of recurrent chest infections. By doing this, it will improve the quality of life and on-going reduce chronic lung disease and thus subsequently preserve lung health.