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Pioglitazone for Idiopathic Gastroparesis

Pioglitazone for the Treatment of Idiopathic Gastroparesis (PIOGAS Study)

Status
Completed
Phases
Early Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04300127
Acronym
PIOGAS
Enrollment
14
Registered
2020-03-09
Start date
2019-10-24
Completion date
2025-03-18
Last updated
2025-04-30

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

Conditions

Gastroparesis

Brief summary

The principal objective of this pilot study will be to evaluate whether 8 weeks of treatment of pioglitazone will improve symptoms as measured by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Index (GCSI) in patients with Idiopathic Gastroparesis.

Detailed description

Objective • The principal objective of this pilot study will be to evaluate whether 8 weeks of treatment of pioglitazone will improve symptoms as measured by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Index Daily Diary (GCSI-DD) in patients with Idiopathic Gastroparesis Secondary objectives of this study include: * To determine the effects of pioglitazone on other symptoms associated with gastroparesis using the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), * To determine the effects of pioglitazone on gastric emptying as measured by the 13C- Spirulina breath test, * To determine the effects of pioglitazone on satiety as measured by a liquid caloric test * To determine the effects of pioglitazone on depression and anxiety using the Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Scores, * To determine the effects of pioglitazone on Quality of Life using the PAGI-QoL and Short Form (SF)-36 questionnaire, * To determine the effects of pioglitazone on markers of inflammation (CRP and ESR) and serum cytokine levels * To determine the nature and incidence of adverse effects from a 12-week course of pioglitazone. Treatment group • Pioglitazone (30 mg po qd) Population • Age 18 years or older at registration with nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms suggestive of patients with chronic nausea and vomiting of presumed gastric origin, with symptomatic gastroparesis. Study duration * Up to 4 weeks of screening prior to pioglitazone treatment * 8 weeks of treatment starting at initial dose of pioglitazone * 4 weeks of washout period * Length of recruitment: 16 months Sample size justification * Total of 23 patients * Primary comparison: Baseline PAGI-SYM score versus 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Number of clinical centers • Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

Interventions

Patients will received 30 mg of Pioglitazone once a day for 8 weeks

Sponsors

Johns Hopkins University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Pilot study

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18 years or older at registration * Diagnosis of gastroparesis as documented by gastric emptying scintigraphy (4-hour emptying after a low-fat meal with any combination of 2 and 4 hour retention of \>60% and 10% respectively) * Ongoing symptoms referable to gastroparesis (i.e. Nausea and vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain) * Exclusion of other causes of symptoms such as mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction, uncontrolled esophagitis, peptic ulcer disease, etc. By standard radiographic or endoscopic tests * Females will be required to use adequate contraceptive methods during study participation as determined by the Principal Investigator and the study team members

Exclusion criteria

* Another active disorder, which could explain symptoms in the opinion of the investigator * Age \< than 18 years * Pregnancy or nursing * Previous surgery of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including vagotomy * Another active disorder, which could explain symptoms in the opinion of the investigator * Use of narcotics more than 3 days per week * Significant hepatic injury as defined by significant alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevations of greater than 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or a Child-Pugh score of 10 or greater * Serious systemic disease, such as recent myocardial infarction/unstable angina, decompensated congestive heart failure, severe pulmonary disease with dyspnea at rest, or altered mental status from any cause * Diabetes as defined by HbA1c \>6.5 and/or fasting blood sugar of \>125 mg/DL * Contraindications to pioglitazone such as hypersensitivity or allergy * Concurrent use of: estradiol, ethynyl estradiol, mestranol, pazopanib, warfarin, digoxin, atorvastatin, ranitidine, gemfibrozil, fexofenadine, midazolam * Any other condition, which in the opinion of the investigator would impede compliance or hinder the completion of the study * History of bladder cancer or family history of bladder cancer * Failure to give informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms as Assessed by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom IndexBaseline, later monthly up to 3 months.The effect of Pioglitazone on nausea, early satiety, postprandial fullness, and upper abdominal pain as per changes in patient scoring in The American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) which has been designed to assess symptoms associated with gastroparesis. Symptoms are rated as none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), severe (3), very severe (4) scale of the worst severity of the symptom over the last 24 hours. Values reported represent the mean participant scale choice.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Functional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyBaseline, later monthly up to 3 monthsThe effect of Pioglitazone on quality of life assessed by the SF-36v2 Health Survey. The SF-36v2 is a 36-item, self-report measure designed to assess quality of life in patients. This measure also provides two summary scores (physical and mental health) and eight scale scores. The eight sections are: vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain and general health perceptions, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning and mental health. Each scale is directly transformed into a 0-100 scale on the assumption that each question carries equal weight. The lower the score the more disability. The higher the score the less disability, i.e., a score of zero is equivalent to maximum disability and a score of 100 is equivalent to no disability.
C- Reactive Protein Level in BloodBaseline and 2 months after treatment initiation.The effect of Pioglitazone on Inflammatory markers as per changes in the values of C reactive protein (CRP) in blood. Normal CRP levels are below 3.0 mg/L.
Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM)Baseline and later monthly up to 3 monthsThe Patient Assessment of Gastrointestinal Symptoms (PAGI-SYM) questionnaire is a patient-reported tool designed to evaluate the severity of upper gastrointestinal symptoms across multiple domains, including nausea/vomiting, postprandial fullness/early satiety, bloating, upper abdominal pain, and heartburn/regurgitation. Each symptom is rated on a 0 to 5 Likert scale, where 0 indicates no symptoms and 5 represents very severe symptoms, with higher scores reflecting worse symptom severity. The total PAGI-SYM score is typically calculated as the average of individual domain scores, resulting in a possible score range of 0 to 5. The mean participant scale choice is reported.
Mood as Assessed by the Beck Depression InventoryBaseline, later monthly up to 3 monthsThe effect of Pioglitazone on mood as per changes in the score of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The BDI-II is a commonly used, reliable 21-item self-report measure designed to assess for depression. Individuals are asked to respond to each question based on a two-week time period. The BDI-II is widely used as an indicator of the severity of depression, but not as a diagnostic tool. BDI-II items are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3 based on the severity of each item. The maximum total score range is 0-63. Higher total scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.
Mood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryBaseline, later monthly up to 3 monthsThe effect of Pioglitazone on mood as per changes in the score of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The STAI is a 40-item self-report measure designed to assess anxiety. This measure provides two subscale scores (State and Trait). STAI is one of the first tests to assess both state and trait anxiety separately. Each type of anxiety has its own scale of 20 different questions that are scored. Scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores correlating with greater anxiety.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)Baseline and 2 months after treatment initiationThe effect of Pioglitazone on Inflammatory markers as per changes Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) in blood. Results are reported as the millimeters of clear fluid (plasma) that are present at the top portion of the tube after one hour. The normal range is 0 to 22 mm/hr for men and 0 to 29 mm/hr for women. Values above these ranges are considered worse.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Pioglitazone
Candidates who after the screening period are eligible to receive Pioglitazone Pioglitazone 30 mg: Patients will received 30 mg of Pioglitazone once a day for 8 weeks
14
Total14

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPioglitazone
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
14 Participants
Age, Continuous35.31 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.3
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
14 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
14 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
13 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 14
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 14
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 14

Outcome results

Primary

Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms as Assessed by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index

The effect of Pioglitazone on nausea, early satiety, postprandial fullness, and upper abdominal pain as per changes in patient scoring in The American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) which has been designed to assess symptoms associated with gastroparesis. Symptoms are rated as none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), severe (3), very severe (4) scale of the worst severity of the symptom over the last 24 hours. Values reported represent the mean participant scale choice.

Time frame: Baseline, later monthly up to 3 months.

Population: Participants who started time point are reported

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Pioglitazone GroupSeverity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms as Assessed by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom IndexBaseline2.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Pioglitazone GroupSeverity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms as Assessed by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index1st month of treatment2.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Pioglitazone GroupSeverity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms as Assessed by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index2nd month of treatment2.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Pioglitazone GroupSeverity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms as Assessed by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index3rd month / washout2.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Secondary

C- Reactive Protein Level in Blood

The effect of Pioglitazone on Inflammatory markers as per changes in the values of C reactive protein (CRP) in blood. Normal CRP levels are below 3.0 mg/L.

Time frame: Baseline and 2 months after treatment initiation.

Population: Participants who started time point are reported

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Pioglitazone GroupC- Reactive Protein Level in BloodBaseline CRP2.5 mg/LStandard Deviation 3.9
Pioglitazone GroupC- Reactive Protein Level in Blood8 weeks CRP5.1 mg/LStandard Deviation 12.1
Secondary

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

The effect of Pioglitazone on Inflammatory markers as per changes Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) in blood. Results are reported as the millimeters of clear fluid (plasma) that are present at the top portion of the tube after one hour. The normal range is 0 to 22 mm/hr for men and 0 to 29 mm/hr for women. Values above these ranges are considered worse.

Time frame: Baseline and 2 months after treatment initiation

Population: Participants who started time point are reported

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Pioglitazone GroupErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)2 Months ESR14.8 mm/hStandard Deviation 13.1
Pioglitazone GroupErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)Baseline ESR14.5 mm/hStandard Deviation 20.3
Secondary

Functional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health Survey

The effect of Pioglitazone on quality of life assessed by the SF-36v2 Health Survey. The SF-36v2 is a 36-item, self-report measure designed to assess quality of life in patients. This measure also provides two summary scores (physical and mental health) and eight scale scores. The eight sections are: vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain and general health perceptions, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning and mental health. Each scale is directly transformed into a 0-100 scale on the assumption that each question carries equal weight. The lower the score the more disability. The higher the score the less disability, i.e., a score of zero is equivalent to maximum disability and a score of 100 is equivalent to no disability.

Time frame: Baseline, later monthly up to 3 months

Population: Participants who started time point are reported

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPhysical Functioning - Baseline54.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.6
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPhysical Functioning - 1st month64.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 20
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPhysical Functioning - 2nd month67.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 24.1
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPhysical Functioning - Washout64.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 22.1
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to physical activity - Baseline40.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 18.6
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to physical activity - 1st month51.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.2
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to physical activity - 2nd month60.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.2
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to physical activity - 3rd month / Washout47.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 30.9
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to emotional problems - Baseline65.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 29.9
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to emotional problems - 1st month68.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 30.3
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to emotional problems - 2nd month77.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 25.5
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyRole limitations due to emotional problems - 3rd month / Washout68.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 30.9
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPain - Baseline62.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 19.3
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPain - 1st month45.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.7
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPain - 2nd month41.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.3
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyPain - 3rd month/Washout48.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.9
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEmotional well being - Baseline46 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.1
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEmotional well being - 1st month45.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 20.4
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEmotional well being - 2nd month48.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.8
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEmotional well being - 3rd month / Washout46.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 11
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEnergy / fatigue - Baseline35.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.3
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEnergy / fatigue - 1st month33.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.4
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEnergy / fatigue - 2nd month35.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.2
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyEnergy / fatigue - 3rd month / Washout35.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.6
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveySocial functioning - Baseline51.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.7
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveySocial functioning - 1st month48.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.7
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveySocial functioning - 2nd month52.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.9
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveySocial functioning - 3rd month / Washout50 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.6
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyGeneral health - Baseline63.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.1
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyGeneral health - 1st month55.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 20.7
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyGeneral health - 2nd month60.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.6
Pioglitazone GroupFunctional Status as Assessed by the SF-36v2 Health SurveyGeneral health - 3rd month / Washout63.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.2
Secondary

Mood as Assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory

The effect of Pioglitazone on mood as per changes in the score of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The BDI-II is a commonly used, reliable 21-item self-report measure designed to assess for depression. Individuals are asked to respond to each question based on a two-week time period. The BDI-II is widely used as an indicator of the severity of depression, but not as a diagnostic tool. BDI-II items are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3 based on the severity of each item. The maximum total score range is 0-63. Higher total scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.

Time frame: Baseline, later monthly up to 3 months

Population: Participants who started time point are reported

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the Beck Depression InventoryBaseline BDI-II17.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.8
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory4 Weeks BDI-II8.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.2
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory8 Weeks BDI-II8.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.4
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the Beck Depression InventoryWashout BDI-II12.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.4
Secondary

Mood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

The effect of Pioglitazone on mood as per changes in the score of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The STAI is a 40-item self-report measure designed to assess anxiety. This measure provides two subscale scores (State and Trait). STAI is one of the first tests to assess both state and trait anxiety separately. Each type of anxiety has its own scale of 20 different questions that are scored. Scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores correlating with greater anxiety.

Time frame: Baseline, later monthly up to 3 months

Population: Participants who started time point are reported

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryState Anxiety - Baseline44.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 12.8
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryState Anxiety - 1st month35.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 13.9
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryState Anxiety - 2nd month38.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 15
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryState Anxiety - 3rd month / Washout36.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 18.2
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryTrait Anxiety - Baseline43.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.2
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryTrait Anxiety - 1st month33.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 15.6
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryTrait Anxiety - 2nd month38.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.2
Pioglitazone GroupMood as Assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety InventoryTrait Anxiety - 3rd month / Washout39.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 13
Secondary

Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM)

The Patient Assessment of Gastrointestinal Symptoms (PAGI-SYM) questionnaire is a patient-reported tool designed to evaluate the severity of upper gastrointestinal symptoms across multiple domains, including nausea/vomiting, postprandial fullness/early satiety, bloating, upper abdominal pain, and heartburn/regurgitation. Each symptom is rated on a 0 to 5 Likert scale, where 0 indicates no symptoms and 5 represents very severe symptoms, with higher scores reflecting worse symptom severity. The total PAGI-SYM score is typically calculated as the average of individual domain scores, resulting in a possible score range of 0 to 5. The mean participant scale choice is reported.

Time frame: Baseline and later monthly up to 3 months

Population: Participants who started time point are reported

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Pioglitazone GroupPatient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM)Baseline2.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Pioglitazone GroupPatient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM)1st month of treatment1.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Pioglitazone GroupPatient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM)2nd month of treatment1.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Pioglitazone GroupPatient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM)3rd month / washout2.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026