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Stigma and Efficacy of Zhizhu Kuanzhong Capsules

Stigma and Efficacy of Zhizhu Kuanzhong Capsules Versus Doxepin in the Treatment of Refractory Functional Dyspepsia: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05107999
Enrollment
76
Registered
2021-11-04
Start date
2021-02-01
Completion date
2022-09-01
Last updated
2022-08-10

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

Conditions

Dyspepsia, Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Psychosomatic Disorder

Brief summary

Antidepressants are effective in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), however, the stigma related with FD and antidepressants could affect treatment adherence and efficacy. Zhi Zhu Kuan Zhong capsules (ZZKZ), a traditional Chinese medicine fomula, showed therapeutic potential for FD. The study was designed to investigate whether ZZKZ could alleviate stigma in FD and obtain identical effects in patients with refractory FD.

Detailed description

Patients with dyspepsia have poor quality of life and emotional distress. The pathophysiology of FD is complex and multifactorial, including factors related to central nervous system and peripheral sensory system. Abundant drugs have been trialed to treat FD patients, but the treatment options remain limited and far from optimal. Antidepressants were beneficial in the treatment of FD. But the antidepressant prescriptions often aggravate the stigma of patients with FD, hinder doctor-patient communication, and reduce treatment compliance. Some patients with strong stigmatized feelings towards antidepressants refused to take the medications, and stigma related with antidepressants could ultimately affect the efficacy of FD. Zhizhu Kuanzhong capsules (ZZKZ), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, had shown effectiveness in relieving dyspeptic symptoms. It has a long culture and history in promoting the function of brain and GI tract in whole, which is widely accepted by populations who were familiar with TCM. The study was designed to observe whether ZZKZ could alleviate stigma of patients and obtain identical effects in patients with FD, therefore provide a new insight in the treatment of FD.

Interventions

DRUGZhizhu Kuanzhong capsules (ZZKZ)

FD patients were treated with ZZKZ and omeprazole for 4 weeks.

DRUGDoxepin Hydrochloride (Doxepin)

FD patients were treated with doxepin and omeprazole for 4 weeks.

Sponsors

RenJi Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Zhizhu Kuanzhong (ZZKZ) group was treated with ZZKZ capsules with omeprazole. Antidepressant group was treated with doxepin with omeprazole.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* The inclusion criteria includes: * 18-70 years old; * education level higher than middle school; * met the Rome IV criteria for FD; * absence of abnormalities on physical examination, laboratory tests (including a routine blood test, blood glucose, and liver function examination), and abdominal imaging and GI endoscopy within 6 months; * absence of Helicobacter pylori infection; * signed written informed consent for participation in the study.

Exclusion criteria

* The

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes of Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (LDQ) scores at 4 weeks from baseline were obtained to assess the dyspepsia condition after treatment.4 weeksThe LDQ scores of 0-4 were classified as very mild dyspepsia, 5-8 as mild dyspepsia, 9-15 as moderate dyspepsia, and \>15 as severe or very severe dyspepsia.
Changes of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores at 4 weeks from baseline were obtained to assess the depression condition after treatment.4 weeksThe PHQ-9 scores of 0-4 were classified as none or minimal depression, 5-9 as mild, 10-14 as moderate, 15-19 as moderately severe, and ≥20 as severe depression.
Changes of Generalized Anxiety Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7) scores at 4 weeks from baseline were obtained to assess the anxiety condition after treatment.4 weeksThe GAD-7 scores of 0-4 were classified as the absence of anxiety, 5-9 as mild, 10-14 as moderate, and ≥15 as severe.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes of Internalized stigma scale (ISS) scores at 4 weeks from baseline were obtained to assess the internalized stigma of patients after treatment.4 weeksThe Internalized stigma scale (ISS) is a 24-item self-report questionnaire with items ranked on a 4-point Likert scale (strongly disagree = 1 to strongly agree = 4 points). The ISS scores are calculated by summing the values for each item and dividing by the number of questions answered for each scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of ISS. The ISS scores of 1-2 were classifies as minimal, 2-2.5 as mild, 2.5-3 as moderate, 3-4 as severe.
Changes of Perceived stigma scale (PSS) scores at 4 weeks from baseline were obtained to assess the perceived stigma of patients after treatment.4 weeksThe Perceived stigma scale (PSS) is a 10-item questionnaire with items ranked on a 5-point Likert scale (seldom = 1 to always = 5 points). The scores are calculated by summing the values for each item and dividing by the number of questions answered for each scale. Minimum to maximum score is 1 to 5 points. Higher scores indicate higher levels of PSS. The PSS scores of 1-2 were classifies as minimal, 2-3 as mild, 3-4 as moderate, 4-5 as severe.

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactSheng-Liang Chen, PhD
chenshengliang011774@renji.com021-53882113

Outcome results

None listed

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