Dexamethasone to Treat Acute Chest Syndrome in People With Sickle Cell Disease
Primary Purpose
Anemia, Sickle Cell
Status
Terminated
Phase
Phase 3
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Dexamethasone
Placebo
Sponsored by
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Anemia, Sickle Cell focused on measuring Sickle Cell Disease, ACS, Acute Chest Syndrome, Hgb SS, Hgb Sβ0, Dexamethasone
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of sickle cell anemia (Hgb SS) or sickle-β0-thalassemia (Hgb Sβ0)
Current episode of ACS, defined as a new lobar or segmental pulmonary infiltrate seen on a chest radiograph and two or more of the following findings:
- Temperature of 38.5°C or higher
- Tachypnea (i.e., rapid breathing)
- Dyspnea or increased work of breathing
- Chest wall pain
- Oxygen saturation of less than 90% in room air by pulse oximetry
- Current episode of ACS diagnosed in the 24 hours prior to study entry
- Ability to take medication in capsule form
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior participation in this study
Diagnosed with any medical condition that will likely be worsened by corticosteroid therapy, including any of the following conditions:
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure
- Esophageal or gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding
- Known avascular necrosis
- Diagnosis of ACS in the 6 months prior to study entry
- Treatment with oral or parenteral corticosteroid therapy for any reason in the 14 days prior to study entry
- Use of inhaled corticosteroids or systemic corticosteroids for respiratory illness in the 3 months prior to study entry
- Long-term lung condition that requires treatment with corticosteroids
- Participation in a program of chronic transfusions that ended fewer than 4 months ago. A program of chronic transfusions includes a regimen of serial simple or exchange transfusions given at least every 6 weeks for at least three consecutive transfusions for the prevention of SCD-related complications.
- Pregnant
- Treatment with any investigational drug in the 90 days prior to study entry
- History of either tuberculosis or a positive skin test for tuberculosis
- Known HIV infection or a current systemic fungal infection
Sites / Locations
- University of California - Davis
- Kosair Children's Hospital
- Children's Hospital Boston
- University of North Carolina
- St. Christopher's Hospital
- Children's Medical Center of Dallas
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Arm Label
Dexamethasone
Placebo
Arm Description
Outcomes
Primary Outcome Measures
Log (Natural) of Duration of Signs and Symptoms of Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) or Duration of Hospitalization, Whichever is Less
Resolution of symptoms of ACS includes respiratory rate <= upper limit of normal +2, no work of breathing (retractions, nasal flaring, and use of accessory muscles), thoracic pain <= 4, no use of supplemental oxygen, no use of ventilary support, and saturation of peripheral oxygen (Sp02) >= steady state value -2. Symptoms were measured every 4 hours from the first dose of study drug to resolution of symptoms or hospital discharge.
Secondary Outcome Measures
Rating of Pain
Change from baseline rating of pain from randomization (baseline) to discharge from the hospital, evaluated every 4 hours. Pain was rated on the Oucher Scale for the pediatric population or numeric rating scale for the adult population, both 0 to 10 with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain.
Duration of Hospitalization
Duration in hours from treatment start time to hospital discharge.
Duration of Supplemental Oxygen
Time period between the supplemental oxygen start date/time and first dose date/time, whichever is later, and the supplemental oxygen stop date/time
Duration of Hypoxemia (Low Blood Oxygen)
Sum of time periods when subject was hypoxemic (Sp02 value less than 92%) since the first dose date/time
Full Information
NCT ID
NCT00530270
First Posted
September 14, 2007
Last Updated
March 29, 2013
Sponsor
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Collaborators
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
1. Study Identification
Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT00530270
Brief Title
Dexamethasone to Treat Acute Chest Syndrome in People With Sickle Cell Disease
Official Title
Randomized Trial of Oral Dexamethasone for Acute Chest Syndrome
Study Type
Interventional
2. Study Status
Record Verification Date
March 2013
Overall Recruitment Status
Terminated
Why Stopped
Study was closed June 23, 2008 due to low enrollment.
Study Start Date
December 2006 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
June 2008 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
November 2008 (Actual)
3. Sponsor/Collaborators
Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Collaborators
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
4. Oversight
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes
5. Study Description
Brief Summary
People with sickle cell disease (SCD) may develop acute chest syndrome (ACS), which is a common and serious lung condition that usually requires hospitalization. Dexamethasone is a medication that may decrease hospitalization time for people with ACS, but it may also bring about new sickle cell pain. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a dexamethasone regimen that includes a gradual dose reduction at decreasing hospitalization and recovery time in people with SCD and ACS.
Detailed Description
SCD is an inherited blood disorder. Symptoms include anemia, infections, organ damage, and intense episodes of pain, which are called "sickle cell crises." ACS is a life-threatening, lung-related complication of SCD that can lower the level of oxygen in the blood. Repeat occurrences of ACS can cause lung damage. It is the second most common cause of hospitalizations among people with SCD and accounts for more than 25% of premature deaths in people with SCD. Symptoms of ACS include fever, chest pain, cough, and breathing difficulties. ACS can appear suddenly and often requires immediate hospitalization and treatment, including antibiotics, supplemental oxygen, and blood transfusions. Previous studies have shown that dexamethasone, a type of steroid medication that blocks inflammation, can decrease hospitalization time for people with ACS; however, some participants in these earlier studies were re-hospitalized due to new sickle cell pain. Slowly decreasing the dosage of dexamethasone over a period of time may decrease the chance that new sickle cell pain will occur. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a dexamethasone regimen that includes a gradual dose reduction at decreasing hospitalization and recovery time in people with SCD and ACS.
This study will enroll people with SCD who are hospitalized and have been diagnosed with ACS within the past 24 hours. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either dexamethasone or placebo on a daily basis for 8 days. Every 2 days the medication dose will be gradually reduced. While in the hospital, participants will receive usual care for ACS, including antibiotics, pain control medication, intravenous fluids, and other needed treatments. Each day, participants will undergo a physical exam, a pain assessment score, a test to measure the oxygen level in the body, blood collection, and, if needed, a chest x-ray. Vital signs and blood pressure measurements will be taken every 4 hours. Study staff will document the amount of pain medication, blood transfusions, oxygen, and breathing treatments participants receive.
Upon leaving the hospital, follow-up visits will occur 1 week after participants were originally admitted to the hospital (participants who are still hospitalized at this time will not attend this visit) and 1 month after hospital discharge. At both visits, information on hospital visits for pain treatment and blood transfusions will be collected, and evaluations performed earlier in the study will be repeated. The second visit will also include lung function tests.
6. Conditions and Keywords
Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Anemia, Sickle Cell
Keywords
Sickle Cell Disease, ACS, Acute Chest Syndrome, Hgb SS, Hgb Sβ0, Dexamethasone
7. Study Design
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 3
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
ParticipantCare ProviderInvestigatorOutcomes Assessor
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
12 (Actual)
8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions
Arm Title
Dexamethasone
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Title
Placebo
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Dexamethasone
Intervention Description
Individuals meeting entry criteria will be randomized to receive dexamethasone 0.3 mg/kg (12 mg maximum single dose). The study drug will be given by mouth every 12 hours until discharge from the hospital or for a maximum of 4 doses (2 days), whichever occurs first. Thereafter, study drug will be tapered over 6 days for a total duration of therapy not to exceed 8 days.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Placebo
Intervention Description
Individuals meeting entry criteria will be randomized to receive 0.3 mg/kg (12 mg maximum single dose) of placebo. The study drug will be given by mouth every 12 hours until discharge from the hospital or for a maximum of 4 doses (2 days), whichever occurs first. Thereafter, study drug will be tapered over 6 days for a total duration of therapy not to exceed 8 days.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Log (Natural) of Duration of Signs and Symptoms of Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) or Duration of Hospitalization, Whichever is Less
Description
Resolution of symptoms of ACS includes respiratory rate <= upper limit of normal +2, no work of breathing (retractions, nasal flaring, and use of accessory muscles), thoracic pain <= 4, no use of supplemental oxygen, no use of ventilary support, and saturation of peripheral oxygen (Sp02) >= steady state value -2. Symptoms were measured every 4 hours from the first dose of study drug to resolution of symptoms or hospital discharge.
Time Frame
Measured from first dose to end of the hospital stay, no maximum number of days
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Rating of Pain
Description
Change from baseline rating of pain from randomization (baseline) to discharge from the hospital, evaluated every 4 hours. Pain was rated on the Oucher Scale for the pediatric population or numeric rating scale for the adult population, both 0 to 10 with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain.
Time Frame
Measured at the end of the hospital stay
Title
Duration of Hospitalization
Description
Duration in hours from treatment start time to hospital discharge.
Time Frame
Measured at the end of hospital stay, no maximum number of days
Title
Duration of Supplemental Oxygen
Description
Time period between the supplemental oxygen start date/time and first dose date/time, whichever is later, and the supplemental oxygen stop date/time
Time Frame
Measured at the end of hospital stay
Title
Duration of Hypoxemia (Low Blood Oxygen)
Description
Sum of time periods when subject was hypoxemic (Sp02 value less than 92%) since the first dose date/time
Time Frame
Measured at the end of hospital stay
10. Eligibility
Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
5 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Diagnosis of sickle cell anemia (Hgb SS) or sickle-β0-thalassemia (Hgb Sβ0)
Current episode of ACS, defined as a new lobar or segmental pulmonary infiltrate seen on a chest radiograph and two or more of the following findings:
Temperature of 38.5°C or higher
Tachypnea (i.e., rapid breathing)
Dyspnea or increased work of breathing
Chest wall pain
Oxygen saturation of less than 90% in room air by pulse oximetry
Current episode of ACS diagnosed in the 24 hours prior to study entry
Ability to take medication in capsule form
Exclusion Criteria:
Prior participation in this study
Diagnosed with any medical condition that will likely be worsened by corticosteroid therapy, including any of the following conditions:
Diabetes mellitus
High blood pressure
Esophageal or gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding
Known avascular necrosis
Diagnosis of ACS in the 6 months prior to study entry
Treatment with oral or parenteral corticosteroid therapy for any reason in the 14 days prior to study entry
Use of inhaled corticosteroids or systemic corticosteroids for respiratory illness in the 3 months prior to study entry
Long-term lung condition that requires treatment with corticosteroids
Participation in a program of chronic transfusions that ended fewer than 4 months ago. A program of chronic transfusions includes a regimen of serial simple or exchange transfusions given at least every 6 weeks for at least three consecutive transfusions for the prevention of SCD-related complications.
Pregnant
Treatment with any investigational drug in the 90 days prior to study entry
History of either tuberculosis or a positive skin test for tuberculosis
Known HIV infection or a current systemic fungal infection
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Charles Quinn, MD
Organizational Affiliation
University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
University of California - Davis
City
Sacramento
State/Province
California
ZIP/Postal Code
95817
Country
United States
Facility Name
Kosair Children's Hospital
City
Louisville
State/Province
Kentucky
ZIP/Postal Code
40202
Country
United States
Facility Name
Children's Hospital Boston
City
Boston
State/Province
Massachusetts
ZIP/Postal Code
02115
Country
United States
Facility Name
University of North Carolina
City
Chapel Hill
State/Province
North Carolina
ZIP/Postal Code
27599
Country
United States
Facility Name
St. Christopher's Hospital
City
Philadelphia
State/Province
Pennsylvania
ZIP/Postal Code
19134
Country
United States
Facility Name
Children's Medical Center of Dallas
City
Dallas
State/Province
Texas
ZIP/Postal Code
75235
Country
United States
12. IPD Sharing Statement
Citations:
PubMed Identifier
21848879
Citation
Quinn CT, Stuart MJ, Kesler K, Ataga KI, Wang WC, Styles L, Smith-Whitley K, Wun T, Raj A, Hsu LL, Krishnan S, Kuypers FA, Setty Y, Rhee S, Key NS, Buchanan GR; Investigators of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers. Tapered oral dexamethasone for the acute chest syndrome of sickle cell disease. Br J Haematol. 2011 Oct;155(2):263-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2011.08827.x. Epub 2011 Aug 16.
Results Reference
derived
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Dexamethasone to Treat Acute Chest Syndrome in People With Sickle Cell Disease
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