Menopausal Hot Flashes
Conditions
Keywords
Hot flash
Brief summary
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of uninterrupted transdermal nitrate therapy in 140 peri- or postmenopausal women who have frequent hot flashes. Women will be randomly assigned to uninterrupted use of transdermal nitrate therapy (participant directed dose-escalation of 0.2 to 0.6 mg/hr) or identical-appearing placebo patches for 12 weeks.
Interventions
Study participants will be randomized to transdermal nitroglycerin patch or placebo patch. Participants will wear a study medication patch daily, for 12 weeks.
DRUGPlacebo
Study participants will be randomized to transdermal nitroglycerin patch or placebo patch. Participants will wear a study medication patch daily, for 12 weeks.
Sponsors
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Alison Huang, MD
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
40 Years to 62 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Women aged 40 to 62 years (consistent with the recent MSFlash hot flash network trials, and likely to maximize enrollment of highly symptomatic women) * Postmenopausal or in the late menopausal transition. For this study, postmenopausal status will be defined by: 1) self-reported history of bilateral oophorectomy, 2) follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels \> 20 mU/mL for those with a self-reported history of hysterectomy without bilateral oophorectomy, or 3) no self-reported history of hysterectomy or oophorectomy, but absence of menses in the past 12 months. Late menopausal transition will be defined by amenorrhea for at least 60 days in the past 12 months within the specified age group. * Documentation of an average of 7 or more hot flashes per 24 hours as well as 4 or more moderate-to-severe hot flashes per 24 hours as recorded on a validated 7-day screening symptom diary * Willing to refrain from initiating other treatments that are known to affect the frequency of severity hot flashes during the trial period * Report having a current primary health care provider (such as a general practitioner, family medicine, internal medicine, or nurse practitioner providing primary care or specializing in women's health)
Exclusion criteria
* Current or recent use of NTG or other nitrate-containing medications (i.e., use within 1 month of screening), or intention to use nitrate-containing medication during the interventional period * Current or recent use of medications already known to reduce the frequency or severity of hot flashes (e.g., vaginal or transdermal estrogens in the past 4 weeks; oral estrogens or progestins in the past 8 weeks; intrauterine progestin therapy in the past 8 weeks; progestin implants or estrogen alone injectable therapy in the past 3 months; estrogen pellet therapy or progestin injectable therapy in the past 6 months; clonidine, methyldopa, gabapentin, pregabalin and selective serotonin or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs/SNRIs) in the past 1 month); or intention to use these medications during the interventional period * Current or recent use of phosphodiesterase inhibitor medications (within 1 month of screening), or intention to use these medications during the interventional period * Current or recent use of riociguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator medication, within 1 month of screening, or intention to use riociguat during the interventional period * Self-reported history of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, aortic valve stenosis, or mitral valve stenosis (since symptoms of these conditions may be aggravated by NTG therapy) * Self-reported history of coronary disease (since patients with coronary disease may need NTG therapy for chest pain or may be at increased risk of new coronary events in the setting of nitrate tolerance), or evidence of prior myocardial infarction on screening electrocardiogram (ECG) * Self-reported history of diabetes or 2 or more major risk factors for coronary disease (i.e., smoking, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia with physician-recommended pharmacologic treatment) * Evidence of tachyarrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or flutter without adequate rate control (\>110 beats/minute) on screening ECG * Evidence of second or third-degree atrioventricular block on screening ECG * Hypotension based on measured resting blood pressure \<90/60 at baseline; or normal resting blood pressure but evidence of orthostatic hypotension with change from supine to standing position) * Uncontrolled hypertension based on measured resting blood pressure \> 180/110 at baseline * Self-reported headaches interfering with activities of daily activities more than twice a month, or use of prescription medication to prevent or treat headache in the past month (since these may be worsened by NTG therapy) * Known allergy to nitroglycerin or other nitrate-based medications. * Known skin sensitivity to adhesives (which may generalize to the NTG patches) * Unable to complete or tolerate a brief 3-day run-in period involving the lowest available dose of NTG (0.1 mg/hr) * Currently pregnant, gave birth within the past 3 months, planning pregnancy during the study period, or unwilling to use regular barrier contraception or abstain from sexual activity to prevent pregnancy if not yet postmenopausal * Currently breastfeeding, breastfeeding within the past 3 months, or planning to breastfeed during the study period * Self-report heavy alcohol use (\>3 drinks in a given day or \>7 drinks per week) and uncomfortable or unwilling to decrease their alcohol intake during the study period. * Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent, fill out questionnaires, or complete study visits in English * Report other conditions that, in the judgment of the investigators, render potential participants highly unlikely to follow the protocol, including plans to move, substance abuse, significant psychiatric problems, or severe dementia.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline Hot Flash Frequency | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) Score | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points. Range 0-100, Higher score indicates lower quality of life |
| Change From Baseline Menopause Quality of Life (MENQOL), Vasomotor Domain Score | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points. Range 1-8, Higher score indicates lower quality of life |
| Change From Baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Score | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points Range 0-21, Higher score indicates lower quality of life |
| Change From Baseline Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Score | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points Range 0-60, a higher score indicates a lower quality of life. |
| Change in Baseline Frequency of Moderate-to-severe Hot Flashes | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points |
| Change in Baseline Total Hot Flash Severity Score | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points. The hot flash severity score is calculated as the sum of severity ratings for all hot flashes recorded on the symptom over a 7-day period (mild=1, moderate=2, severe=3), and then divided by 7 for the daily average score. Range 12-60, higher score indicates lower quality of life. |
| Change From Baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Score | Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks | Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points Range 0-21, Higher score indicates lower quality of life |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Participants With Treatment Related Severe Adverse Events Defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Severity Grade 3 or Higher. | Baseline to 12 weeks | Number of participants with treatment related severe adverse events defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) severity grade 3 or higher. |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin Daily transdermal nitroglycerin patch, starting at 0.2 mg/hr. Dose escalation up to 0.6 mg/hr.
transdermal nitroglycerin: Study participants will be randomized to transdermal nitroglycerin patch or placebo patch. Participants will wear a study medication patch daily, for 12 weeks. | 70 |
| Placebo Daily transdermal placebo patch.
Placebo: Study participants will be randomized to transdermal nitroglycerin patch or placebo patch. Participants will wear a study medication patch daily, for 12 weeks. | 71 |
| Total | 141 |
Withdrawals & dropouts
| Period | Reason | FG000 | FG001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Study | Adverse Event | 2 | 0 |
| Overall Study | Cannot tolerate medication | 1 | 0 |
| Overall Study | Incomplete outcome data | 0 | 1 |
| Overall Study | Too busy | 1 | 0 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Total | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 55.27 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.9 | 54.57 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.9 | 53.89 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.8 |
| Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Score | 8.35 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.8 | 8.63 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.1 | 8.9 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.6 |
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) score | 3.13 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 | 2.80 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 | 2.48 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 |
| Hot Flash Frequency (per day) | 10.77 episodes per day STANDARD_DEVIATION 4 | 10.84 episodes per day STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.5 | 10.9 episodes per day STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.9 |
| Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) score | 46.11 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 23.1 | 43.18 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 22.2 | 40.30 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 21 |
| Menopause Quality of Life (MENQOL), Vasomotor domain score | 6.49 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 23.1 | 6.35 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4 | 6.21 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4 |
| Moderate-to-severe hot flashes (per day) | 8.68 episodes per day STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.1 | 8.39 episodes per day STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.6 | 8.10 episodes per day STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 |
| Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score | 8.03 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.7 | 7.88 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.4 | 7.74 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.1 |
| Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Asian | 4 Participants | 12 Participants | 8 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American | 12 Participants | 16 Participants | 4 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race | 0 Participants | 3 Participants | 3 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 1 Participants | 1 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported | 3 Participants | 9 Participants | 6 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) White | 50 Participants | 100 Participants | 50 Participants |
| Region of Enrollment United States | 70 participants | 141 participants | 71 participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 70 Participants | 141 Participants | 71 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Total hot flash severity score | 21.10 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.1 | 20.76 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.7 | 20.42 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 6 |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | 0 / 70 | 0 / 71 |
| other Total, other adverse events | 65 / 70 | 66 / 71 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 70 | 0 / 71 |
Outcome results
Primary
Change From Baseline Hot Flash Frequency
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points.
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change From Baseline Hot Flash Frequency | -4.56 Hot flashes per day |
| Placebo | Change From Baseline Hot Flash Frequency | -4.02 Hot flashes per day |
p-value: 0.3495% CI: [-1.66, 0.58]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Change From Baseline Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Score
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points Range 0-60, a higher score indicates a lower quality of life.
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change From Baseline Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Score | -1.39 units on a scale |
| Placebo | Change From Baseline Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Score | -1.79 units on a scale |
p-value: 0.6895% CI: [-1.52, 2.32]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Change From Baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Score
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points Range 0-21, Higher score indicates lower quality of life
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change From Baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Score | -0.15 units on a scale |
| Placebo | Change From Baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Score | -0.57 units on a scale |
p-value: 0.395% CI: [-0.38, 1.23]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Change From Baseline Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) Score
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points. Range 0-100, Higher score indicates lower quality of life
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change From Baseline Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) Score | -19.85 units on a scale |
| Placebo | Change From Baseline Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) Score | -20.36 units on a scale |
p-value: 0.8895% CI: [-6.15, 7.18]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Change From Baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Score
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points Range 0-21, Higher score indicates lower quality of life
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change From Baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Score | -1.27 score on a scale |
| Placebo | Change From Baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Score | -1.18 score on a scale |
p-value: 0.8195% CI: [-0.8, 0.63]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Change From Baseline Menopause Quality of Life (MENQOL), Vasomotor Domain Score
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points. Range 1-8, Higher score indicates lower quality of life
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change From Baseline Menopause Quality of Life (MENQOL), Vasomotor Domain Score | -1.53 units on a scale |
| Placebo | Change From Baseline Menopause Quality of Life (MENQOL), Vasomotor Domain Score | -1.33 units on a scale |
p-value: 0.5795% CI: [-0.88, 0.48]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Change in Baseline Frequency of Moderate-to-severe Hot Flashes
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change in Baseline Frequency of Moderate-to-severe Hot Flashes | -3.27 Hot flashes per day |
| Placebo | Change in Baseline Frequency of Moderate-to-severe Hot Flashes | -2.44 Hot flashes per day |
p-value: 0.1295% CI: [-1.89, 0.23]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Change in Baseline Total Hot Flash Severity Score
Change was calculated as the followup value minus the baseline value. Values are model generated Least Square Means for combined 5 and 12 month time points. The hot flash severity score is calculated as the sum of severity ratings for all hot flashes recorded on the symptom over a 7-day period (mild=1, moderate=2, severe=3), and then divided by 7 for the daily average score. Range 12-60, higher score indicates lower quality of life.
Time frame: Repeated change from baseline to 5 and 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Change in Baseline Total Hot Flash Severity Score | -8.33 units on a scale |
| Placebo | Change in Baseline Total Hot Flash Severity Score | -6.92 units on a scale |
p-value: 0.2595% CI: [-3.81, 0.99]Mixed Models Analysis
Other Pre-specified
Number of Participants With Treatment Related Severe Adverse Events Defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Severity Grade 3 or Higher.
Number of participants with treatment related severe adverse events defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) severity grade 3 or higher.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Transdermal Nitroglycerin | Number of Participants With Treatment Related Severe Adverse Events Defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Severity Grade 3 or Higher. | 0 Participants |
| Placebo | Number of Participants With Treatment Related Severe Adverse Events Defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Severity Grade 3 or Higher. | 0 Participants |