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The Role of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Treatment of Gallstones in Hemolytic Disorders

Primary Purpose

Hemolytic Disorders, Gallstones

Status
Terminated
Phase
Phase 4
Locations
Israel
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Sponsored by
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional prevention trial for Hemolytic Disorders focused on measuring Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), White blood cells (WBC), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), Ultrasound (US)

Eligibility Criteria

4 Years - undefined (Child, Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosis of a hemolytic disorder including spherocytosis, G6PD deficiency, thalassemia or sickle cell disease.
  2. Patients with cholelithiasis or bile sludge.
  3. Age greater than or equal to 4 years.
  4. Ability to consent to and participate in the study and follow study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Previous splenectomy (complete or partial)
  2. Evidence of hemolytic crisis at the time of research enrollment
  3. Patients with highly symptomatic gallstones who have planned surgical intervention
  4. Known allergy or intolerance to UDCA
  5. Existence of concurrent hepatic disease
  6. Any other laboratory or clinical condition that the investigator considers clinically significant that could impact the outcome of the study or the safety of the patient.

Sites / Locations

  • Shaare Zedek Medical Center

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm Type

Experimental

Arm Label

Open Label

Arm Description

32 patients with hemolytic disorders meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be commenced on Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Lack of sonographic, clinical or biochemical evidence of progression of cholelithiasis or biliary sludge.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Improvement in number and severity of episodes of symptomatic gallstones.
Rate of surgical intervention for gallstones disease.
Sonographic improvement (size and number of gallstones, presence of bile sludge, gallbladder wall thickness).
Evaluate tolerability and adverse effects of UDCA therapy in hemolytic disorders.
including non-specific abdominal discomfort, rash or nausea.
Improved biochemical evidence of gallstone disease
reduced gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

Full Information

First Posted
February 4, 2015
Last Updated
October 8, 2017
Sponsor
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT02472509
Brief Title
The Role of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Treatment of Gallstones in Hemolytic Disorders
Official Title
The Role of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Treatment of Gallstones in Hemolytic Disorders
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
October 2017
Overall Recruitment Status
Terminated
Why Stopped
Study not feasible - very low recruitment rate
Study Start Date
December 2014 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
September 10, 2017 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
September 10, 2017 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Shaare Zedek Medical Center

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
It is well established that hemolytic diseases predispose patients to the development of pigment gallstones. Gallstones are noted in at least 5% of children under the age of 10 years, increasing to 40-50% in the second to fifth decades. The co-inheritance of Gilbert's syndrome increases the risk of cholelithiasis four to five-fold. In patients with chronic hemolysis, total bile lipid concentration is decreased and the total bilirubin to total lipid ratio is increased. This suggests that the conjugating capacity of hepatocytes is surpassed by the excessive amount of bilirubin resulting from hemolysis. Increased bilirubin monoconjugate and unconjugated bilirubin can precipitate in bile and form complexes with inorganic ions, mostly calcium, and develop into stones. Patients with hemolytic disorders can also develop biliary sludge, a suspension of precipitated particulate matter in bile dispersed in a viscous, mucin-rich liquid phase . The chemical composition of the precipitates correlates well with the composition of the associated stone and sludge often stands as a harbinger of future stone development. There is strong data suggesting a benefit in treating cholelithiasis with UDCA and also in preventing gallstone development in various high risk scenarios. There are several proposed mechanisms for the positive effect of UDCA in primary prevention of pigment stones. Mucoglycoproteins are present in significant amounts in black pigment stones and contribute to the matrix of gallstones. UDCA suppresses the secretion of protein and decreases the levels of various proteins in bile . It has also been suggested that increased colonic bile salt may solubilize unconjugated bilirubin and may prevent calcium complexing. There is no published data at present on the role of UDCA in prevention and treatment of cholelithiasis in hemolytic diseases. The investigators hypothesise that UDCA can be of benefit to patients with hemolytic disorders in the primary prevention of pigment stones, possible resolution of biliary sludge and existent stones, and reduction of symptomatic episodes of cholelithiasis.
Detailed Description
The research protocol extends for up to 12 months, during which the participant will attend 3 clinic visits at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre; one at study enrollment, one at 6 months and one at 12 months. All patients identified will have their medical records reviewed for previous clinical, biochemical or sonographic evidence of gallstones. Patients will undergo a baseline abdominal ultrasound to assess for biliary sludge, gallstones, or evidence of previous cholecystitis (eg. Thickened gallbladder wall). All patients will also have blood tested for liver biochemistry, complete blood count, hemolytic screen and fasting lipids. Participants will be commenced on UDCA 15mg/kg/day (maximum dose 900mg/day) in 2-3 divided doses for 12 months. Patients who are unable to tolerate tablet medication will be started on UDCA syrup at the same dose. Each of the in-house visits will include: An explicit history taking and review of patient's notes, including review of symptoms, blood tests and previous ultrasounds, other medical conditions and medications. Physical examination - including measuring splenic size, assessing for right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness Blood tests Hemoglobin, WBC Liver biochemistry: ALT, AST, GGT, ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), Bilirubin (conjugated and unconjugated), Albumin Hemolytic screen: LDH, haptoglobin, reticulocytes Fasting lipids: LDL, HDL, Triglycerides Repeat abdominal ultrasound will be performed at 12 months. The US will specifically relate to the following features in comparison to the baseline US: Presence of biliary sludge Presence of gallstone: i.Size ii.Number Presence of bile duct dilatation Presence of gall bladder wall thickening

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Hemolytic Disorders, Gallstones
Keywords
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), White blood cells (WBC), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), Ultrasound (US)

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Prevention
Study Phase
Phase 4
Interventional Study Model
Single Group Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
N/A
Enrollment
3 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Open Label
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
32 patients with hemolytic disorders meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be commenced on Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Other Intervention Name(s)
Ursolit
Intervention Description
Patients will be commenced on UDCA 15mg/kg/day (maximum dose 900mg/day) in 2-3 divided doses for 12 months. Patients who are unable to tolerate tablet medication will be started on UDCA syrup at the same dose.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Lack of sonographic, clinical or biochemical evidence of progression of cholelithiasis or biliary sludge.
Time Frame
12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Improvement in number and severity of episodes of symptomatic gallstones.
Time Frame
12 months
Title
Rate of surgical intervention for gallstones disease.
Time Frame
12 months
Title
Sonographic improvement (size and number of gallstones, presence of bile sludge, gallbladder wall thickness).
Time Frame
12 months
Title
Evaluate tolerability and adverse effects of UDCA therapy in hemolytic disorders.
Description
including non-specific abdominal discomfort, rash or nausea.
Time Frame
12 months
Title
Improved biochemical evidence of gallstone disease
Description
reduced gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
Time Frame
12m

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
4 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of a hemolytic disorder including spherocytosis, G6PD deficiency, thalassemia or sickle cell disease. Patients with cholelithiasis or bile sludge. Age greater than or equal to 4 years. Ability to consent to and participate in the study and follow study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: Previous splenectomy (complete or partial) Evidence of hemolytic crisis at the time of research enrollment Patients with highly symptomatic gallstones who have planned surgical intervention Known allergy or intolerance to UDCA Existence of concurrent hepatic disease Any other laboratory or clinical condition that the investigator considers clinically significant that could impact the outcome of the study or the safety of the patient.
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Oren Ledder, MD
Organizational Affiliation
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
City
Jerusalem
ZIP/Postal Code
91031
Country
Israel

12. IPD Sharing Statement

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The Role of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Treatment of Gallstones in Hemolytic Disorders

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