Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Every day about 800 women die in pregnancy or childbirth, and 99% of all of these deaths occur in the developing world. Women in rural communities with limited access to healthcare are at the greatest risk. The leading causes of death in these women include severe bleeding, overwhelming infections, and blood pressure problems. Many women die in pregnancy because the problem is recognised too late. In all of these instances, simply monitoring women's blood pressure and pulse could be life-saving. A woman would be recognised as being unwell and appropriately treated before serious, irreversible complications set in. In the developing world many healthcare providers do not have access to working blood pressure devices. Many devices that are available are often inaccurate in pregnancy, particularly in women with blood pressure problems. This means that unwell women go unrecognised and treatment is either delayed or not given, which can result in serious illness and even death. We have developed a simple, accurate, handheld device to measure blood pressure and pulse. This device has some special features that make it ideal for use in the developing world. It does not require medical training and anyone can use the device with minimal skill. This makes it ideal for use in communities, particularly rural settings, where untrained health workers commonly visit women and their babies. Another special feature is the 'traffic light' system; the device tells the user if the blood pressure and pulse measurements are normal (green), worrying (amber) or severely abnormal (red). This enables the device to signpost women who are unwell, or becoming unwell, to untrained observers. This will enable more appropriate and early referral to higher-level care. The device has been tested extensively and has been shown to be accurate in pregnant women, even those with blood pressure problems. The device can be charged through a regular mobile phone charger, has a long power life and a large easy-to-read screen. The device is cheap at less than £12. Through our previous work in rural community settings in Africa, we know that there is a need for access to blood pressure devices, as many clinics have no access to working, accurate machines. This study will improve access for women to have accurate measurements of their blood pressure and pulse (a fundamental part of care for women in pregnancy). Our study intends to put these simple devices into communities with the aim of improving detection of pulse and blood pressure problems. By highlighting those who are unwell, we hope use of the device will lead to more women receiving the best, most appropriate care and fewer women dying or becoming seriously unwell from these devastating diseases.
Who can participate?
Women who are pregnant or gave birth within the last 6 weeks, and living in the study catchment areas within the study time frame.
What does the study involve?
Pregnant women should have their blood pressure checked as part of routine antenatal care. This study involves replacing the current methods to measure blood pressure with the CRADLE VSA device, which is incorporated into routine care. There are no other changes to the patient’s care as part of the study. Healthcare practitioners may be asked to complete multiple-choice questionnaires or complete a log of their use of their device to assess the training materials. A sample of healthcare practitioners are also interviewed. A focus group discussion is undertaken at each site at three months.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
By participating in this study, healthcare practitioners will get the chance to gain experience in using the blood pressure device and have improved access to accurate reliable equipment. Feedback provided by healthcare practitioners will help to improve the training and plan a larger study of this device in vulnerable women in pregnancy. The Microlife CRADLE VSA is used worldwide in pregnancy as a standard automated blood pressure device. We do not anticipate any risks to those using the devices or the participating women. A potential risk is that triggering of the traffic light early warning system may lead to more women being referred to a higher-level facility, thereby overwhelming the facility. Alternatively, the early warning system may give a false sense of stability of women, resulting in delay in referral. It is for this reason that the CRADLE package of care will include education about appropriate transport to facility, as well as instructions about how to manage women who do not trigger the early warning system but who are otherwise unwell.
Where is the study run from?
Morgenster Mission Hospital (Zimbabwe), Lusaka University Teaching Hospital (Zambia), Mulago Hospital, (Uganda), Haiti Hospital (Haiti), Tikur Anbessa University Hospital (Ethiopia), Zomba Hospital (Malawi), Ndola Central Hospital (Zambia), Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (Sierra Leone), Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (India), Gimbie Adventist Hospital (Ethiopia), Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (Uganda), University of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2015 to March 2018
Who is funding the study?
Medical Research Council (UK), Department Of Biotechnology (India), Department for International Development (UK).
Who is the main contact?
Prof Andrew Shennan
andrew.shennan@kcl.ac.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Public
Primary contact
Prof Andrew Shennan
ORCID ID
Contact details
Women's Health Academic Centre
Kings College London
10th Floor
North Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
+44 (0)797 682 2634
andrew.shennan@kcl.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
N/A
ClinicalTrials.gov number
N/A
Protocol/serial number
MR/N006240/1
Study information
Scientific title
Evaluation of the CRADLE vital sign alert device in the management of hypertension and shock in pregnancy in low-resource settings to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity: a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial
Acronym
CRADLE 3
Study hypothesis
Implementation of a novel semi-automated vital-sign alert device and simple education package used by healthcare providers (HCPs) at community and facility levels will reduce maternal mortality and major morbidity from the three leading causes of maternal death worldwide (obstetric haemorrhage, sepsis and pre-eclampsia) in low-income country (LIC) populations.
Ethics approval
1. Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine and Natural & Mathematical Sciences Research Ethics Subcommittee, 26/08/2015, ref: LRS-14/15-1484
2. Individual ethics approvals have been sought and finalised from each of our international partners
Study design
Two-phased multicentre stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Maternal mortality and major morbidity from the three leading causes of maternal death worldwide: obstetric haemorrhage, sepsis and pre-eclampsia
Intervention
This is a two-phased multicentre stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial of the introduction of the CRADLE package (Vital Signs device and training package) to maternity care settings in eight low income countries.
Due to the stepped wedge trial design, each randomisation cluster crosses over from control to the CRADLE intervention at two-monthly intervals over the 21 month trial period. For the first two-month interval no cluster has the intervention and by 21 month all clusters will have the intervention. The intervention effect is determined by comparing data points in the intervention section of the wedge with those in the control section. This design has been selected to evaluate the intervention in a pragmatic fashion. Individual randomisation would be logistically difficult and would not measure impact and transferability at a population level. The stepped wedge design is useful where phased implementation is preferable because of logistical and practical constraints. Our LIC collaborators have indicated that this is their preferred means of participation, as a phased introduction of the intervention is more reflective of current implementation programs.
The intervention consists of the CRADLE VSA device, a device that measures blood pressure and heart rate and calculates shock index, and a simple education package that describes how to use the device. The simple education package consists of two specific short animated films on the use of the device and management of hypertension and shock and posters and alert cards. The CRADLE VSA will be incorporated into routine antenatal care as all women should have blood pressure measured regularly in the antenatal period. Therefore there is no specified treatment duration or follow up.
Intervention type
Device
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Primary outcome measures as of 01/04/2016 (Added 09/12/2016):
The primary outcome is the rate of a composite of maternal mortality or major morbidity (one of maternal death, eclampsia or emergency hysterectomy with no double counting) per 10,000 deliveries. We will report the effect of the intervention on the primary endpoint, on each of the three components, and on the secondary endpoints specified. Results will be reported firstly as odds ratios, with risk ratios as a secondary comparison if the appropriate models converge. The components of the primary outcome are defined as:
1. Maternal death is defined as death during pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery (or last contact day if contact not maintained to 42 days).
2. Eclampsia is defined as occurrence of generalised convulsions or coma with increased BP during pregnancy, labour or within 42 days of delivery in the absence of epilepsy or another condition predisposing to convulsions
3. Emergency Hysterectomy is defined as surgical removal of all or part of the uterus
Primary outcome measures as of 29/02/2016:
1. Maternal death, defined as death during pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery (or last contact day if contact not maintained to 42 days)
2. Eclampsia, defined as occurrence of generalised convulsions or coma with increased blood pressure during pregnancy, labour or within 42 days of delivery in the absence of epilepsy or another condition predisposing to convulsions
3. Emergency Hysterectomy, defined as surgical removal of all or part of the uterus
Following the completion of the three month pilot phase from November 2015 to February 2016 there have been minor prospective amendments to the protocol prior to the start of the main trial in March 2016. Given the variable access to intensive care beds and low prevalence of stroke observed across our trial sites in the pilot these outcomes will not be included in the primary composite outcome. They will continue to be measured as secondary outcomes. The event rate of our existing composite primary outcome components (Maternal death, eclampsia, emergency hysterectomy) remain sufficient to maintain planned statistical power.
Original primary outcome measures:
1. Maternal death, defined as death during pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery (or last contact day if contact not maintained to 42 days)
2. Intensive Care Unit admission, defined as any admission to intensive care unit or an equivalent highest-level care environment within the trial area (or referral to the highest level care facility outside of the area) in areas where Intensive Care Unit does not exist
3. Eclampsia, defined as occurrence of generalised convulsions or coma with increased blood pressure during pregnancy, labour or within 42 days of delivery in the absence of epilepsy or another condition predisposing to convulsions
4. Stroke, defined as hemiparesis and/or blindness developed during pregnancy or in the 42 days postpartum lasting greater than 48 hours
5. Hysterectomy, defined as surgical removal of all or part of the uterus
All primary and secondary outcomes are measured consistently across the site area throughout trial duration so that the overall impact of intervention can be determined over the 21 month trial period. Interim analysis is not feasible due to the stepped wedge design.
Secondary outcome measures
Secondary outcome measures as of 29/02/2016:
Maternal Secondary outcome measures:
1. Intensive Care Unit admission, defined as any admission to a specific intensive care unit or an equivalent highest-level care environment within the trial area (or referral to the highest level care facility outside of the area) in areas where Intensive Care Unit does not exist
2. Stroke, defined as hemiparesis and/or blindness developed during pregnancy or in the 42 days postpartum lasting greater than 48 hours
3. Cause of intensive care admission
4. Cause of maternal death
5. Cause of emergency hysterectomy
5. Place of eclamptic fit
6. Place of maternal death
These additional secondary outcome measures have been added following the pilot experience in an effort to determine the potential benefit of the device on these outcomes.
Neonatal Secondary outcome measures
We recognise that the CRADLE intervention may reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity, but have not been chosen to evaluate these as primary outcomes, as the intervention is designed specifically to identify maternal health complications. Many of these occur postpartum and will not directly influence perinatal outcomes. Acquisition of detailed perinatal data within LIC settings would be a substantial additional cost. However, we will collect secondary outcomes including:
1. Number of stillbirths
2. Number of neonatal deaths
Original secondary outcome measures:
We recognise that the CRADLE intervention may reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity, but have not been chosen to evaluate these as primary outcomes, as the intervention is designed specifically to identify maternal health complications. Many of these occur postpartum and will not directly influence perinatal outcomes. Acquisition of detailed perinatal data within LIC settings would be a substantial additional cost. However, we will collect secondary outcomes including:
1. Number of stillbirths
2. Number of neonatal deaths
All primary and secondary outcomes are measured consistently across the site area throughout trial duration so that the overall impact of intervention can be determined over the 21 month trial period. Interim analysis is not feasible due to the stepped wedge design.
Overall trial start date
01/10/2015
Overall trial end date
01/03/2018
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. All pregnant/postpartum women living in Trial Area catchment areas* within the trial time frame
2. Women identified as pregnant or within the 6 weeks post-partum period, presenting for antenatal, intrapartum or postpartum care
*Catchment areas will be defined by local investigators, and include all possible outreach facilities that result in women being assessed and referred to a defined central facility/ies, prior to randomisation and remain constant throughout the study period.
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Mixed
Gender
Female
Target number of participants
10 sites will be randomised for inclusion in Phase 2 of the trial. The expected event rate is 15/month. However, the trial is applicable to any pregnant or postpartum woman within the catchment area.
Participant exclusion criteria
There will be no exclusion criteria, including age of women, as, from an ethical and logistical standpoint, all pregnant women (including those below the age of 16 years) should have access to blood pressure measurement during pregnancy. Data are to be collected at a cluster level rather than at an individual level.
Recruitment start date
01/03/2016
Recruitment end date
01/12/2017
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Trial participating centre
Morgenster Mission Hospital and Masvingo District
Reformed Church in Zimbabwe
Masvingo
PO Box 670
Zimbabwe
Trial participating centre
Lusaka University Teaching Hospital
University Teaching Hospital
Lusaka
Private Bag RW1X
Zambia
Trial participating centre
Mulago Hospital
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Mulago
PO Box 7051
Uganda
Trial participating centre
Haiti Hospital
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Cap Haitien
BR4 9BU
Haiti
Trial participating centre
Tikur Anbessa University Hospital
Woman’s Health
Addis Ababa
5657
Ethiopia
Trial participating centre
Zomba Hospital
Women’s Health
Zomba
PO Box 21
Malawi
Trial participating centre
Ndola Central Hospital
Women’s Health
Ndola
Private Bag 1
Zambia
Trial participating centre
Princess Christian Maternity Hospital
Fourah Bay Road
Free Town
PO Box 87
Sierra Leone
Trial participating centre
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College
Women’s & Children’s Health Research Unit
Belgaum
BELAGAVI-590010
India
Trial participating centre
Gimbie Adventist Hospital
Gimbie
PO Box 228
Ethiopia
Trial participating centre
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Gokak
591307
India
Trial participating centre
Mbale Regional Referral Hospital
Women’s Health
Mbale
PO Box 921
Uganda
Trial participating centre
University of Zimbabwe
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Harare
00263
Zimbabwe
Sponsor information
Organisation
Kings College London (UK)
Sponsor details
Women's Health Academic Centre
10th Floor
North Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
+44 (0)797 682 2634
andrew.shennan@kcl.ac.uk
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
Research council
Funder name
Medical Research Council
Alternative name(s)
MRC
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
National government
Location
United Kingdom
Funder name
Department Of Biotechnology (India)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Funder name
Department for International Development (UK) Global Research Programme
Alternative name(s)
Department for International Development, UK, DFID
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
Federal/National Government
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
To be confirmed at a later date
Intention to publish date
31/12/2018
Participant level data
Available on request
Basic results (scientific)
N/A
Publication list
1. 2019 results in: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30784635
2. 2019 secondary analysis in: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30925157