ISRCTN ISRCTN14767962
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14767962
EudraCT/CTIS number 2015-003712-20
Secondary identifying numbers 2015-003712-20
Submission date
08/01/2016
Registration date
12/02/2016
Last edited
06/03/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Neonatal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This project looks at whether some babies born early can have long-term breathing problems as they go through childhood which have not yet been detected. Research on very premature babies has shown that their lungs may not work as well as babies born at, or earlier to, their due date. Work already done by the researchers of this project has also shown that some moderately premature babies are at risk of having breathing problems as they grow up. The next step of this research is to invite some families to participate in a study to look at possible reasons why children born early may have breathing problems. The researchers want to know whether there are differences in the structure and function of the airways in the children born prematurely compared to those born on time. If prematurely born children are different, they may benefit from closer follow-up and possibly some treatment to improve their breathing.

Who can participate?
Children (and families) aged between 7-12 who were born prematurely (at 34 weeks gestation or less)

What does the study involve
First of all, each child does some breathing tests (at home, if possible) and both them and their parents are asked to fill in some questionnaires about their daily life. A sample of saliva (spit) is also collected. The aim of the visit is to assess how many children have lower than expected results on the breathing test. Children will a lower than expected result are asked to take part in the next stage. For this stage, each child and their parents visit the laboratory on two occasions to have more detailed breathing tests before and after exercising on a stationary bicycle. After the first visit, each child is given an inhaler to use twice a day for 12 weeks. The type of inhaler they are given is allocated randomly and could be one containing fluticasone proprionate, a fluticasone proprionate/salmeterol xinafoate combination or a placebo (dummy inhaler). Any response to the inhaler treatment will be seen at the second visit. Finally, some children are invited to have a MRI scan of their lungs to look at how well they are working.

What are the benefits and risks?
The researchers aim to show that children born early have limitations in their lung function which may cause breathing problems. If so, they will be able to find out if treating with medicine is successful in easing the symptoms. Children born preterm have generally been ignored, however the evidence from this study may indicate to healthcare policy makers that closer follow-up is required in these children; secondly, it may indicate that treatment should be considered an option in all children born preterm, (extremely or moderately) with reduced lung function. In the future, this surveillance and treatment may reduce the burden on NHS resources in terms of GP and hospital visits. As with all medicines, there are some small risks of side effects. However these are rare and often mild.

Where is the study run from?
Children’s Hospital for Wales (UK)

When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2015 to December 2019

Who is the main contact
Mr John Lowe

Study website

Contact information

Mr John Lowe
Scientific

Department of Child Health
School of Medicine
Cardiff University
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF144XN
United Kingdom

Prof Sailesh Kotecha
Scientific

Department of Child Health
School of Medicine
Cardiff University
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF1 44XN
United Kingdom

Ms Alison Jenkins
Public

North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health & Social Care)
Meirion Building
Normal Site
Bangor University
Gwynedd
Bangor
LL57 2PZ
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1248 382442
Email RHINO@bangor.ac.uk

Study information

Study designSingle-centre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Community
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleRespiratory Health Outcomes in Neonates - A randomised, double blind, double-dummy placebo-controlled trial of inhaled treatment to establish the mechanisms of prematurity-associated airway obstruction and inflammation
Study acronymRHINO
Study objectivesThe overall aim is to establish the underlying mechanisms of chronic airway obstruction observed in symptomatic children who are born preterm and to establish if there are different phenotypes of this condition that do or do not respond to standard inhaled therapy.
Ethics approval(s)South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee, 26/11/2015, ref: 15/SW/0289
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPrematurity-associated respiratory disease
InterventionRandom assignment to using one of the three following metered-dose inhalers
1. Fluticasone proprionate
2. Fluticasone proprionate/salmeterol xinafoate combination
3. Placebo
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase IV
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)1. Fluticasone proprionate 2. Salmeterol xinafoate
Primary outcome measureThe primary outcome will be the difference in pre and post treatment percent predicted FEV1 after 12 weeks of therapy between the active and placebo groups
Secondary outcome measures1. Differences in measures of obstructive airway disease (pulmonary function tests)
2. Differences in response to exercise challenge between treatment groups.
3. Differences in biomarkers of airway inflammation between treatment groups
4. Differences in respiratory and neurological symptoms (questionnaire)
5. MRI parameters: apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) between 3 comparison groups (preterm, FEV1 ≤85% at baseline; preterm control, FEV1 ±1 standard deviation from normal; and term control, FEV1 ±1 standard deviation from normal).
6. Pre- and- post treatment differences in objectively measured physical activity
7. Adverse events

All outcomes to be measured after 12 weeks of therapy between the active and placebo groups
Overall study start date12/03/2015
Completion date30/06/2020

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupChild
Lower age limit7 Years
Upper age limit12 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants200 Randomised from approximately 1000 screened
Total final enrolment53
Key inclusion criteria1. Children aged 7-12 at the time of screening
2. Born at a gestational age ≤34 weeks (NB. Approximately n=50 term controls will also be invited)
3. Resident in the south Wales area whom, in the opinion of the Investigator, are possible to follow up
4. Fully informed proxy consent from parents/guardians and assent from child where possible
Key exclusion criteria1. Respiratory tract infection within the last three 3 weeks (will be asked to consider participating at a later date)
2. Congenital abnormalities
3. In the opinion of the Investigator have:
3.1. Severe cardiopulmonary defects, or
3.2. Neuromuscular disease, or
3.3. Severe neurodevelopmental impairment
Which prohibit the possibility of compliance with the study protocol
Date of first enrolment01/05/2016
Date of final enrolment31/12/2019

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centre

Children's Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF144XN
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Cardiff University
University/education

30-36 Newport Road
Cardiff
Cardiff CF24 0DE
Wales
United Kingdom

Website http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/racdv/resgov/contactus/index.html
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03kk7td41

Funders

Funder type

Government

Medical Research Council
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
Medical Research Council (United Kingdom), UK Medical Research Council, MRC
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date15/12/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planWe will publish the results in scientific journals. However we will also make our findings available on the study website in a format accessible to our participants and the wider community. we have a parent representative to support us with this dissemination.
IPD sharing planThe current data sharing plans for this study are unknown and will be available at a later date

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 13/12/2021 10/01/2022 Yes No
Protocol file version 10 16/10/2018 22/08/2022 No No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No
Statistical Analysis Plan Trial Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan 06/03/2024 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN14767962_PROTOCOL_V10_16Oct18.pdf

Editorial Notes

06/03/2024: A link to the statistical analysis plan was added.
22/08/2022: Protocol file uploaded.
10/01/2022: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
26/10/2021: The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/10/2021 to 15/12/2021.
23/09/2021: The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/03/2021 to 31/10/2021.
23/07/2020: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2020 to 31/03/2021.
18/05/2018: A public contact has been added. The public title has been changed from "Born early, breath easy" to "Born early, breathe easy".
04/05/2018: The following changes have been made:
1. The scientific title has been changed from "Respiratory Health outcomes In NeOnates" to "Respiratory Health Outcomes in Neonates - A randomised, double blind, double-dummy placebo-controlled trial of inhaled treatment to establish the mechanisms of prematurity-associated airway obstruction and inflammation".
2. The recruitment end date has been changed from 31/12/2018 to 31/12/2019.
3. The overall trial end date has been changed from 31/12/2019 to 30/06/2020.
4. The intention to publish date has been changed from 30/06/2019 to 31/12/2020.