Fluoxetine Or Control Under Supervision (FOCUS) trial: to establish the effect(s) of routine administration of Fluoxetine in patients with a recent stroke

ISRCTN ISRCTN83290762
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN83290762
EudraCT/CTIS number 2011-005616-29
Secondary identifying numbers FOCUS2012
Submission date
16/05/2012
Registration date
23/05/2012
Last edited
27/05/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Fluoxetine is an effective and safe drug which has been successfully used for many years to relieve depression. There is now also evidence from small trials that fluoxetine might have other effects on the brain e.g. generation of new brain cells, which might help patients make a better recovery from the physical effects of their stroke. For example, a recent small trial from France suggested that fluoxetine might improve the recovery of strength in stroke patients with residual arm weakness. The aim of this trial is to find out whether fluoxetine, given for 6 months, improves recovery if started in stroke patients who are between 2 and 15 days after their stroke.

Who can participate?
Stroke patients who had a stroke between 2 and 15 days previously can participate, providing they are at least 18 years of age, have had a brain scan that is compatible with a stroke (either due to a bleed or a blood clot in the brain), and still have some residual problems caused by the stroke e.g. weakness in the arm or leg. Stroke patients cannot participate if they are taking medication that might interact with fluoxetine, e.g. a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (a type of antidepressant), or if they have had seizures in the past or if they are seriously ill with other medical problems.

What does the study involve?
Researchers will collect information about the type of stroke the patients have had. Then, half the patients will be randomly allocated to fluoxetine capsules for 6 months, and the other half to an identical 'placebo' capsule for 6 months. At hospital discharge, or at 1 month for patients who did not require hospital admission, the researchers will check whether participants are still taking the trial capsules and whether they have experienced any adverse effects. At 3 months, the researchers will contact the participants to check whether they are still taking the capsules, and ask about adverse effects. At six and 12 months after recruitment, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires about their overall recovery from the stroke, and about common problems after stroke e.g. weakness in limbs, memory problems, problems with speech, low mood. These questionnaires can be completed on paper, via the secure trial website or by telephone. If patients cannot complete the forms themselves, their next of kin or carer will be asked to do this. General practitioners will also be contacted at 6 months and 12 months to enquire about any medical problems and use of health care resources e.g. attendance at hospital, new medications. Patients' involvement will end 12 months after recruitment. The researchers will collect data on long-term recovery through national statistics.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
If fluoxetine improves recovery from stroke, those patients allocated fluoxetine may have benefited. However, fluoxetine may have side effects and it may not improve recovery from stroke.

Where is the study run from?
University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study will start recruiting patients in July 2012, and will recruit for about four years. Patients will be followed up for 1 year. The study is likely to end in October 2017.

Who is funding the study?
The Stroke Association (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Gillian Mead
gmead@staffmail.ed.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Gillian Mead
Scientific

Royal Infirmary
49 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)131 242 6481
Email gmead@staffmail.ed.ac.uk

Study information

Study designMulticentre parallel-group double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleFluoxetine Or Control Under Supervision (FOCUS): a multicentre randomised trial to establish the effect(s) of routine administration of Fluoxetine in patients with a recent stroke
Study acronymFOCUS
Study objectivesThe routine administration of fluoxetine (20 mg daily) for 6 months after an acute stroke will improve patients' functional outcome.
Ethics approval(s)Scotland A Research Ethics Committee, 21/12/2011, ref: 11/SS/0100
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedIschaemic or haemorrhagic stroke
InterventionFluoxetine 20 mg once daily or matching placebo capsules for 6 months.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Fluoxetine
Primary outcome measureModified Rankin scale at 6 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Deaths from all causes at 6 and 12 months
2. Modified Rankin scale at 12 months
3. Stroke Impact Scale
4. Euroquol 5D-5L
5. Mental Health Inventory 5
6. Vitality subscale of SF36 (as an assessment of fatigue)
7. Diagnosis of depression
8. Other adverse events
9. Adherence to the trial medication
10. Health and social care resources used during follow up
Overall study start date01/07/2012
Completion date01/10/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants3000
Total final enrolment3127
Key inclusion criteria1. Age > 18 years
2. Brain imaging is compatible with intracerebral haemorrhage or ischaemic stroke
3. Randomisation can be performed between 2 and 15 days after stroke onset
4. Persisting focal neurological deficit is present at the time of randomisation severe enough to warrant 6 months trial treatment from the patient's or carer's perspective
Key exclusion criteria1. Subarachnoid haemorrhage
2. Unlikely to be available for follow up at 12 months
3. Patient and/or carer unable to understand spoken or written English
4. Other life-threatening illness
5. Pregnant or breast-feeding or of child bearing age not taking contraception
6. History of epileptic seizures
7. Attempted suicide or self-harm
8. Allergy or contra indication to fluoxetine
9. Taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor in last 5 weeks
10. Current or recent depression requiring treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
11. Already participating in a Clinical Trial of an Investigational Medical Product
Date of first enrolment01/07/2012
Date of final enrolment31/03/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Scotland
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Royal Infirmary
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian (UK)
University/education

c/co Marise Bucukoglu
ACCORD
The Queen’s Medical Research Institute
47 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4TJ
Scotland
United Kingdom

Website http://www.accord.ed.ac.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03q82t418

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Stroke Association ref: TSA 2011101
Private sector organisation / Associations and societies (private and public)
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal and announcement of results at the UK stroke forum meeting.
IPD sharing planThe data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 20/08/2015 Yes No
Other publications statistical and health economic analysis plan 28/12/2017 Yes No
Results article results 19/01/2019 Yes No
Other publications exploratory analyses 01/11/2019 01/04/2020 Yes No
Results article results 01/05/2020 27/05/2020 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

27/05/2020: Publication reference added.
01/04/2020: Publication reference added.
14/06/2019: Publication reference and total final enrolment number added.
15/10/2018: The following updates were made:
1. The publication and dissemination plan was added.
2. The IPD sharing statement was added.
3. The participant level data was added.
4. The recruitment end date was changed from 01/07/2016 to 31/03/2017.
12/10/2018: The intention to publish date was added.
14/02/2018: Publication reference added.
05/05/2016: Publication reference added.