Hemorrhoid, Hemorrhoid Bleeding
Conditions
Keywords
Haemorrhoids, Grade II-III haemorrhoids, Symptomatic haemorrhoids, Hemorrhoidal bleeding, Haemorrhoidal disease, Haemorrhoid artery embolization, HAE, Artery embolization, Transarterial embolization, Minimally invasive, Embolization coils
Brief summary
BRIGHT is a Europe-wide study that will follow up to 250 adults with bleeding symptoms from haemmorhoids (Grade II-III categories). It aims to understand how well a minimally invasive procedure called haemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) works in everyday clinical practice, which is a technique that blocks the blood vessels feeding the haemorrhoids. As this technique does not require major surgery, HAE offers several benefits such as less trauma, quicker recovery, and the use of only local anaesthesia.
Interventions
Haemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat symptomatic haemorrhoids by reducing their blood supply. Under imaging guidance, typically fluoroscopy, a catheter is inserted through a small puncture in the groin or wrist and guided into the arteries that supply the haemorrhoidal tissue, known as the superior rectal arteries. Once the target vessels are identified, embolization coils-tiny metal coils designed to block blood flow-are placed inside these arteries. The coils create a controlled blockage, decreasing blood flow to the haemorrhoids, which helps shrink the swollen tissue and reduce bleeding. HAE is usually performed as an day-case procedure under local anaesthesia with mild sedation, and tends to result in less pain, quicker recovery, and lower complication rates compared to surgical approaches.
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
1. Adult patients presenting bleeding Grade II-III haemorrhoids with French bleeding score ≥3 planned to be treated with HAE using embolization coils; 2. Patients competent and willing to give written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
1. Minors and other vulnerable populations who may not be able to give informed consent freely or for whom participation is not essential to the study (incapacitated and unconscious individuals, persons deprived of liberty, pregnant and breastfeeding women, etc.); 2. Patients receiving HAE using a combination of coils and particles, particles only, or any other embolic agents; 3. Patients who have had previous surgical haemorrhoidectomy at any time or other treatments for haemorrhoids within 1 year before the planned HAE; 4. Patients with known perianal sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, peri-anal fistula, colorectal malignancy or pre-existing sphincter injury resulting in incontinence; 5. Patients with an immunodeficiency; 6. Known severe atheromatous disease with occlusion of target vessels preventing embolization; 7. Absolute contraindication to contrast media; 8. ECOG performance status \> 2; 9. Life expectancy \< 12 months; 10. Patients with unstable angina; 11. Patients currently taking nicorandil.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Haemorrhoidal bleeding | 12 months | Evaluated using the French Bleeding Score. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Haemorrhoidal bleeding | 1, 3 and 24 months | Evaluation of haemorrhoidal bleeding at time points listed below compared to baseline using the French Bleeding Score. |
| Patient-reported Pain using the Visual Analogue Scale | 1 day, 1- and 3-months post treatment, compared to baseline | The 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a patient-reported outcome measure used to assess the intensity of a symptom such as pain, discomfort, or bleeding. It consists of a straight, 10-centimeter horizontal line with two anchored endpoints: 0 cm = no symptom, and 10 cm = worst imaginable symptom. Participants mark a point on the line that best represents the severity of their symptom at the time of assessment. This will be measured at 1 day, 1- and 3-months after the treatment. |
| Patient-reported Pain measured by Analgesic intake | 1 day, 1- and 3-months post treatment | Analgesic intake refers to the use of any pain-relief medication taken to manage haemorrhoid-related discomfort after HAE. This includes over-the-counter or prescribed agents such as acetaminophen/paracetamol or NSAIDs. Participants will be recorded as having taken analgesics if they use any pain medication for haemorrhoid symptoms during the specified time frame. |
| Frequency and severity of procedural complications and other adverse events | Within 3 months after the HAE procedure | The severity of complications and procedure-related adverse events will be graded according to the Clavian Dindo classification system. |
| Functional recovery | From the procedure date until the patient returns to work or usual daily activities (Number of days) | Measured as the number of days until the patient is fit enough to return to work or other usual daily activities. |
| Freedom from recurrence | 1, 3, 12 and 24 months | Defined as the proportion of patients with cured or improved symptoms as described in the HubBle Trial. |
| Clinical appearance of haemorrhoids | 12 months | Evaluated at proctoscopy at 12 months if done per SOC or following recurrence requiring further intervention. |
| Patient-reported symptoms | 3, 12 and 24 months | Evaluated using the Haemorrhoids Severity Score at the specified time points below compared to baseline. |
| Patient-reported continence | 3 months | Assessed using the Vaizey Incontinence Score at the specified time points below compared to baseline. |
| Patient-reported health-related quality-of-life | 1 day, 1-, 3-, 12- and 24-months | Measured by EuroQol Five-Dimension, Five-Level Questionnaire (EuroQol EQ-5D-5L) at the specified time points below compared to baseline. It is a standardized, participant-reported measure of health-related quality of life that assesses five dimensions-mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression-each rated on five levels of severity: no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems, and extreme problems/unable to perform. Higher EQ-5D-5L index values indicate better overall health status, while lower scores reflect poorer health, greater symptom burden, or more functional impairment. |
Contacts
Royal Bournemouth Hospital, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Medical Radiological Institute
Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS Catholic University
Marseille University Hospital Timone