Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
CAAE - 1422.0.000.040-06 179/06
Study information
Scientific title
Efficacy of a pediculicide based on dimeticone: randomised observer-blinded comparative trial in patients with severe infestation
Acronym
DIMPED (DIMeticone for the treatment of PEDiculosis)
Study hypothesis
The efficacy against head lice infestation of a product containing a high (92%) concentration of the silicon oil dimeticone (similar to Nyda®) is similar or superior to a product containing 1% permethrin.
Ethics approval
Ethics approval received from the Ethical Review Board of the Federal University of Ceará (Brazil) on the 14th September 2006 (ref: 179/06). Registered in the database of the Brazilian Ministry of Health for studies involving human subjects (Sistema Nacional de Informações Sobre Ética em Pesquisa envolvendo Seres Humanos [SISNEP]), accessible under http://portal.saude.gov.br/sisnep/pesquisador/ (project no: 1422.0.000.040-06).
Study design
Randomised, controlled, observer-blinded clinical trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Not specified
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Condition
Active head lice infestation
Intervention
Participants were recruited from a poor urban neighbourhood in Brazil where head lice are highly prevalent. To minimise reinfestation during the trial, study participants were transferred to a holiday resort outside the endemic area for a period of nine days.
Participants were randomised to receive either topical treatment with a product containing a high percentage of dimeticones (92%), equivalent in composition to Nyda® (G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, Hohenlockstedt, Germany), or topical permethrin 1% aqueous solution (Kwell®, GlaxoSmithKline, Brazil). Two topical applications were done, seven days apart. Participants were treated immediately upon arrival at the resort (day 1) and, a second time seven days later (day 8) to kill newly hatched lice from eggs which may have survived the first treatment.
The products were used according to the producers' recommendations. The fine tooth comb provided by both producers together with the pediculicide was not used after the topical application of the products. The dimeticone-based product was applied to dry hair and then left to dry naturally. After eight hours the hair was washed with a commercial shampoo not containing dimeticones. Kwell® was applied to wet hair, left for 30 minutes and thereafter washed out in an identical manner as the other product. Both products were applied systematically onto the hair from the hair shafts to the tips, and a normal comb was used to spread the liquids evenly.
The dimeticon-based product (in composition similar to Nyda® , G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, Hohenlockstedt, Germany) was prepared at the Department of Pharmacy of the Federal University of Ceará by an experienced pharmacist, the permethrin product bought locally at a pharmacy.
Intervention type
Drug
Phase
Not Specified
Drug names
Dimeticone product equivalent in composition to Nyda®, topical permethrin
Primary outcome measures
The primary outcome measure was defined as the proportion of participants cured of head lice infestation one, six and eight days after the first treatment (i.e. days 2, 7 and 9, respectively). Cure was defined as the complete absence of viable lice on the scalp, as determined by wet combing with a high quality plastic head louse comb.
Secondary outcome measures
1. Reduction of clinical pathology: days 1 (before intervention), 2, 4, 7 and 9
2. Reduction of the degree of itching (assessed based on a pre-tested ordinal Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] ranging from 0 to 4): days 1 (before intervention), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
3. Cosmetic acceptability of the products, assessed using a summary score ranging from -4 (extremely negative) to +4 (extremely positive), with a standardised questionnaire including subjective assessment of smelling, irritation of scalp, cosmetic changes of hair, and changes in the easiness to comb the hair: days 2, 4, 7 and 9
4. Safety (number and type of adverse events). Clinical pathology included the presence of erythema, papules, excoriations, eczema, secondary infection and enlarged cervical or retro-auricular lymph nodes: days 2, 4, 7 and 9 (and continuous documentation when any adverse event [AE] occurred, indendent from timepoints).
Overall trial start date
02/01/2007
Overall trial end date
31/01/2007
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Children aged 5 - 15 years, either sex
2. An active head lice infestation (one or more active head lice found after three minutes of visual inspection)
3. Written consent obtained from study participants and carers
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Child
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
146 children and adolescents
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Use of head lice products, anthelminthics, or antibiotics within the previous four weeks
2. Severe skin disorders of the scalp (such as generalised impetigo, eczema, psoriasis or chronic dermatitis of unknown origin)
3. Bleached or colour treated hair within the previous four weeks
4. Known sensitivity to any ingredients in the products
5. Mental disease
6. Drug abuse
7. Pregnant or lactating girls
8. Unwillingness to stay for nine days in a holiday resort outside the endemic area where the clinical trial would be carried out
9. Participation in another clinical study in the previous month
Recruitment start date
02/01/2007
Recruitment end date
31/01/2007
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Brazil
Trial participating centre
Departamento de Saúde Comunitária
Fortaleza
60430-140
Brazil
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
Funder name
Mandacaru Foundation (Brazil)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary
Results: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18783606
Publication citations
-
Results
Heukelbach J, Pilger D, Oliveira FA, Khakban A, Ariza L, Feldmeier H, A highly efficacious pediculicide based on dimeticone: randomized observer blinded comparative trial., BMC Infect. Dis., 2008, 8, 115, doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-8-115.