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The Effect of High Dose Methylprednisolone on Nailfold in Early Systemic Sclerosis ( SSc )

Hit Hard and Early. The Effect of High Dose Methylprednisolone on Nailfold Capillary Changes and Biomarkers in Early SSc: a 12-week Randomised Explorative Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial.

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Early Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03059979
Enrollment
30
Registered
2017-02-23
Start date
2017-01-31
Completion date
2021-07-01
Last updated
2019-11-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Raynaud Phenomena, Systemic Sclerosis

Brief summary

This is a 12 week double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial in which 30 patients with very early SSc, fulfilling the Very Early Diagnosis Of Systemic Sclerosis (VEDOSS) criteria (9) will be randomized in a 2:1 fashion to receive intravenous methylprednisolone or placebo. Three-day treatment courses are given at week 0, week 4 and week 8. The final assessment is at week 12, and patients will be followed up to one year after baseline

Detailed description

Systemic sclerosis is a disease with a high burden caused by morbidity and increased mortality. To date a cure for SSc is not available. In this trial, patients are treated very early in the disease which could change the long term outcome of SSc in these patients. In daily practice, patients so early in the disease course are not treated although they might be at risk for early escalation and internal organ involvement, reducing their prognosis. A trial to investigate the efficacy of a relative save, inexpensive and easy accessible treatment will provide us with the opportunity to change the disease course and reducing the disease burden of a portion of the SSc patients

Interventions

DRUGMethylprednisolone

methylprednisolone 1000 mg dissolved in 100 cc of NaCl 0.9%, by intravenous infusion in 30 minutes on three consecutive days Three-day treatment courses are given at week 0, week 4 and week 8.

OTHERsodium chloride

100 cc of NaCl 0,9% , administered by intravenous infusion in 30 minutes on three consecutive days Three-day treatment courses are given at week 0, week 4 and week 8.

Sponsors

Radboud University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Written informed consent * Age over 18 years * Fulfilling VEDOSS criteria (9): * Raynauds' Phenomenon and * Positive for disease specific auto antibodies (anti-centromere or anti-topoisomerase antibodies) and * typical nail fold capillaroscopic findings * Puffy fingers \< 3 years * Modified Rodnan skin score = 0

Exclusion criteria

* Presence of acroosclerosis, acrosteolysis and digital ulcers * Presence of anti-RNA polymerase III auto antibodies Previous systemic treatment for SSc, namely: * methotrexate, * prednisone (\> 14 days in previous 6 months), * mofetil mycophenolate * cyclophosphamide. Clinically significant internal organ involvement: * diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) \< 80% predicted, * vital capacity (VC) \< 70% predicted * renal dysfunction with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 60 ml/min * diastolic dysfunction \> grade 1 on echocardiography * pulmonary hypertension * weight loss \>10% in the last 6 months with unknown cause Contra-indications for methylprednisolone, such as: * pregnancy, lactation * psychotic or depressive disorder * ulcus duodeni or ventriculi * untreated hypertension (\> 160-90 mmHg) * acute infections

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
the change in capillary density from baseline12 weekspresence of enlarged and giant capillaries, hemorrhages, loss of capillaries, disorganization of the micro vascular array, and capillary ramifications.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
change in nail fold capillary changes other than capillary density and giant capillaries from baseline1 yearchanges in nail fold capillary pattern (early, active, late, normal
change in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) from baseline1 year
presence of puffy fingers from baseline1 year
presence of synovitis from baseline1 year
presence of tendon friction rubs from baseline1 year
fulfilling EULAR/ACR ( American College of Rheumatology )classification from baseline criteria for SSc from baseline1 year
pulmonary function tests from baseline1 year
change in selected biomarkers: the interferon signature in peripheral blood from baseline1 yearPlasma biomarkers consist soluble inflammatory mediators platelet factor 4, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, endothelin-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor
suspicion of pulmonary hypertension from baseline1 year
Change in physical function from baseline1 year
general health score from baseline1 year
Change in 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) total score from baseline1 year
Change in Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ)total score from baseline1 year
Change in EQ-5D is a standardised instrument for use as a measure of health outcome. (EQ5D) total score from baseline1 year
Change in gastrointestinal tract ( GIT ) total score from baseline1 year
presence of interstitial lung disease from baseline1 year

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

Primary ContactSjoukje Mulder
sjoukje.mulder@radboudumc.nl+31 24 3619398
Backup ContactBrigit Kersten
+31 24 361 4580

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 23, 2026