A randomised double blind controlled trial of oral ephedrine/etilefrine in the prevention of recurrent (stuttering) attacks of priapism in sickle cell disease: a multicentre international study in older children and adults

ISRCTN ISRCTN54312363
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN54312363
Secondary identifying numbers 09/04
Submission date
27/10/2005
Registration date
02/02/2006
Last edited
25/01/2011
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Haematological Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Study website

Contact information

Dr Adebayo Olujohungbe
Scientific

Department of Haematology
Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Longmoor Lane
Liverpool
L9 7AL
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)151 529 3375
Email ade.olujohungbe@aht.nwest.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designDouble-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Patient information can be found at: http://www.anaemiaweb.org/Documents/Pisces/Adult%20Patient%20information.pdf
Scientific title
Study acronymPISCES
Study objectivesStuttering attacks of priapism is a harbinger of a major acute attack with its poor sequelae. Penile detumesence depends on alpha adrenergic stimulation such as etilefrine, ephedrine anecdotally. We therefore want:
1. To assess if oral ephedrine or etilefrine taken by patients with sickle cell disease is tolerable and if it reduces the rates of stuttering priapism, and or major acute attacks of priapism
2. To see if oral ephedrine is comparable to etilefrine in efficacy
3. If it is so, to establish the minimum effective dose of ephedrine
Ethics approval(s)Ethics approval received from the West Midland Multicentre Research Ethics Committee.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedSickle cell disease
InterventionOral ephedrine and oral etilefrine versus placebo
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Specified
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Etilefrine, Ephedrine
Primary outcome measure1. A change in the frequency of attacks of stuttering priapism from baseline data
2. A change in the incidence of an acute (major) attacks of priapism
Secondary outcome measuresTolerability of oral etilefrine (50 mg) or ephedrine at 15 mg or 30 mg with respect to side effect profile.
Overall study start date01/10/2005
Completion date01/10/2007

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexMale
Target number of participants320
Key inclusion criteria1. Male patients with a documented history of sickle cell disease (SCD) irrespective of genotype (alpha thalassemia status will not be determined)
2. Patients should be 12 years or over
3. Patients with a known history of stuttering priapism (a short self limiting episode lasting up to 4 hours which tends to be recurrent) attributable to SCD
4. Patients in active attendance at a designated care centre i.e. one visit in the last six months
5. Patients on a stable dose of hydroxyurea for over six months before trial entry, provided a baseline event rate (on treatment) is established before randomisation and no dose change occurs during trial period
6. Patients who received a one-off or isolated top up transfusion greater than three months before recruitment date can be entered into study
Key exclusion criteria1. Patients with sickle cell trait (haemoglobin A greater than haemoglobin S on alkaline gel electrophoresis or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) will not be eligible for randomisation
2. Patients known to have elevated blood pressure or a history of cardiac disease
3. Patients with SCD and a documented history of stroke in the past
4. Patients with a history of acquired vessel aneurysm in the past
5. Patients known to be on MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) drugs or other drugs with significant interactions with study drugs
6. Patients known to be intolerant of adrenergic drugs
7. Patients with hyperthyroidism
8. Patients on a long-term blood transfusion programme to prevent or treat the complications of SCD
Date of first enrolment01/10/2005
Date of final enrolment01/10/2007

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • Nigeria
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Department of Haematology
Liverpool
L9 7AL
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

Longmoor Lane
Liverpool
Liverpool
L9 7AL
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)151 529 3375
Email ade.olujohungbe@aht.nwest.nhs.uk
Website http://www.anaemiaweb.org/pisces.htm
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02h67vt10

Funders

Funder type

Charity

British Society of Haematology (UK)

No information available

Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK) - small research grant

No information available

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (UK) - Haematology Research and Development grant

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/07/2010 Yes No