PHOENIX - Pre-eclampsia in HOspital: Early iNductIon or eXpectant management
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN01879376 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN01879376 |
| Protocol serial number | HTA 12/25/03; HTA 15/59/06; EME 15/23/02 |
| Sponsors | King's College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust |
| Funders | Health Technology Assessment Programme, Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme |
- Submission date
- 20/11/2013
- Registration date
- 25/11/2013
- Last edited
- 21/05/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Main PHOENIX study
Background and study aims
Pre-eclampsia during pregnancy can be a very serious condition for both mother and baby. It can cause a sudden, rapid rise in blood pressure and cause seizures, strokes, multiple organ failure and on rare occasions, death. Babies whose mothers have pre-eclampsia tend to be smaller and more likely to be born prematurely or stillborn. The cause of pre-eclampsia is not known but it goes once a woman has given birth. The current guidelines state that women with pre-eclampsia should be hospitalized for careful monitoring and their labour induced once they reach 37 weeks of pregnancy. At 37 weeks of pregnancy, babies are generally considered to be fully developed (although most pregnancies go on to 40 weeks). Some doctors think, given that the complications of pre-eclampsia can be serious, that it would be better to induce labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The aim of this study is to find out whether inducing delivery earlier, when a woman is between 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, reduces the harm the condition can cause to the mother and baby despite the baby being born before they are considered to be fully developed.
Who can participate?
Women aged 18 or over who are between 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy with confirmed pre-eclampsia but whose condition does not warrant immediate delivery.
What does the study involve?
Women are randomly allocated to either the Planned Delivery Group or the Expectant Management Group. At this point, women are given a questionnaire to complete which gathers information on their health before they give birth. Women allocated to the Planned Delivery Group are induced within 48 hours of being allocated to the group. Generally, women are given a hormone called prostaglandin as a vaginal gel/pessary to start their labour. If this does not work, other methods of inducing labour are tried following the hospital's standard procedures. Before delivery is induced, doctors may want to give a steroid injection to the mother to help her baby's lungs mature faster. Women allocated to the Expectant Management Group continue to be closely monitored in hospital until they reach 37 weeks of pregnancy. At this time (or shortly afterwards), their labour is induced in the same way as for women in the Planned Delivery Group. However, if their health or that of their baby worsens, they may be delivered before this time. After delivery, women and their babies are cared for according to the hospital's standard practice regardless of the group they were allocated to. Information is collected on the health of the mother and baby until they are discharged from hospital. Six months after giving birth, women are sent a similar questionnaire to the one they completed whilst in hospital but the questionnaire also captures information on the NHS services that they have used since they were discharged. The questionnaire is again sent when their child reaches 2 years of age based on their due date. At this time a questionnaire is also sent to assess the health of their child.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
It is difficult to separate the risks from the benefits of taking part in the study because they may balance each other out.
Women who are selected to be in the Planned Delivery Group may have their baby delivered up to 3 weeks (at 34 weeks of pregnancy) before they are usually fully developed (a baby is considered to be fully developed at 37 weeks but most pregnancies go on to 40 weeks). This may result in the baby having problems associated with being born early. However, letting the woman's pregnancy continue might harm them and their baby more. Women who are selected to be in the Expectant Management Group may become ill from the conditions associated with pre-eclampsia because their pregnancy is allowed to continue for longer. Also, their condition or that of their babys may suddenly worsen so that they have to be delivered quickly, which might be distressing. It is not yet known which of the two management strategies is the best and the aim of the study is to find this out.
Where is the study run from?
The study will be run initially from six hospitals with neonatal units to find out if the recruitment targets for the study can be met. It will then be opened up to approximately 34 more hospitals (40 in total).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2014 to January 2021
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. Prof. Andrew Shennan (andrew.shennan@kcl.ac.uk)
2. Prof. Lucy Chappell (Lucy.chappell@kcl.ac.uk)
PEACOCK (PHOENIX-2) sub-study
Background and study aims
The cause of pre-eclampsia is not known, and it is not possible to tell which patients will get it more seriously. Researchers think there may be not such a good connection between the placenta and the mother’s womb. Some studies have shown changes in the blood level of a substance made by the placenta called Placental Growth factor (PlGF). This may be a useful test to help doctors decide which women and their babies are more at risk of becoming unwell. The aim of this sub-study is to improve how women between 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy are assessed, by measuring the level of PlGF in their blood.
Who can participate?
Women aged 18 or over who are between 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy with confirmed pre-eclampsia, but whose condition does not warrant immediate delivery.
What does the study involve?
Participants are asked for a small blood sample, about two teaspoons (12ml), which is tested for PlGF. Then, up until the time the baby is born they are asked for an extra blood sample at the same time as blood is taken for their regular tests. Apart from collecting the additional blood samples, the participants’ treatment is not affected in any way. The results from these tests is not shared with participants or their doctors and so the care they receive is exactly the same as if they were not taking part. Information is collected about the participants and their babies’ health until they are both discharged from hospital.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Measuring PlGF may help doctors improve the care for women with pre-eclampsia in the future. There are no expected serious side effects to having the blood test and blood tests are part of normal clinical care.
Where is the study run from?
The study will be run initially from six hospitals with neonatal units to find out if the recruitment targets for the study can be met. It will then be opened up to approximately 34 more hospitals (40 in total).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2016 to January 2021
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Lucy Chappell
Lucy.chappell@kcl.ac.uk
PHOEBE (PHOENIX-3) study
Background and study aims
Pre-eclampsia can be a serious condition for both mother and baby. Most women with pre-eclampsia make a full recovery and their babies are healthy. However, pre-eclampsia can cause a sudden, rapid rise in blood pressure and in severe cases can cause fits, strokes, multiple organ failure and very rarely, death. It may restrict the flow of blood to the baby, so babies whose mothers have pre-eclampsia tend to be smaller and are more likely to be born early. Some studies have suggested that in some women, the woman’s heart might have to work harder because of the pre-eclampsia. The aim of this sub-study is to find out how pre-eclampsia might have a long-term effect on a woman’s heart. This will be done by looking at signs in the blood that may show that the heart has been working harder during pregnancy, and by taking a scan of the heart about six months after the baby is born.
Who can participate?
Women aged 18 or over who are between 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy with confirmed pre-eclampsia, but whose condition does not warrant immediate delivery.
What does the study involve?
Participants are asked for a small blood sample, about two teaspoons (12ml). Then up until the time the baby is born participants are asked for an additional blood sample at the same time as their regular routine blood tests. After they have given birth, they are again asked for a small blood sample. Apart from collecting the additional blood samples, taking part in this sub-study does not affect treatment in any way. Information about participants and their babies’ health is collected until they are both discharged from hospital. At the end of the study, the blood samples are tested for substances that show how the heart is working. The results from these tests are not shared with participants or their doctors and so the care you receive is exactly the same as if they were not taking part in the sub-study. About six months after the birth of the baby, participants are asked to return to hospital to have an ultrasound scan which takes moving and still pictures of the heart, called an echocardiogram. It involves putting some gel on their chest, similar to any ultrasound scan they had when they were pregnant. From these pictures, the person doing the scan can see how the heart is working. This test takes about 20-30 minutes. The echocardiogram is being done for research purposes and so a clinical report is not produced. At the same visit, participants are also asked to give a small blood sample, about two teaspoons. Travel expenses for this part of the study are paid in the form of a voucher.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The person doing the echocardiogram looks to see if the heart is working normally. In a very few people, about 8 in 1000 women, a problem with their heart is found when they have this test. If this happens participants are offered a referral for an appointment with a heart specialist. This is expected to be needed for about three women in this sub-study. There are no expected serious side effects to having the blood samples taken and wherever possible blood samples for this sub-study are taken at the same time as having blood tests taken as part of routine maternity care.
Where is the study run from?
The study will be run initially from six hospitals with neonatal units to find out if the recruitment targets for the study can be met. It will then be opened up to approximately 34 more hospitals (40 in total).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2016 to January 2021
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Fergus McCarthy
fergus.mccarthy@kcl.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Division of Women's Health
10th Floor, North Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)20 7188 3639 |
|---|---|
| andrew.shennan@kcl.ac.uk |
Scientific
Division of Women’s Health
King’s College London
Women’s Health Academic Centre KHP
10th Floor, North Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-6219-3379 |
|---|---|
| Lucy.chappell@kcl.ac.uk |
Scientific
Division of Women’s Health
King’s College London
Women’s Health Academic Centre KHP
10th Floor, North Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
| fergus.mccarthy@kcl.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Pre-eclampsia in Hospital: Early Induction or Expectant Management |
| Study acronym | PHOENIX |
| Study objectives | Study hypothesis: To determine whether planned delivery between 34+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation in women with pre-clampsia reduces adverse maternal outcomes without substantially increasing neonatal/infant outcomes compared to the current recommended practice of expectant management and delivery at 37 weeks of gestation. More details can be found at: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hta/122503/#/ Protocol can be found at: https://njl-admin.nihr.ac.uk/document/download/2007230 Added 05/10/2016: PEACOCK (PHOENIX-2) sub-study: Prognostic indicators of severe disEAse in women with late preterm pre-eClampsia to guide deCision maKing on timing of delivery Study hypothesis: To establish a prognostic model to inform optimal timing of delivery in women with late preterm pre-eclampsia, by comparing novel candidate biomarkers (e.g. plasma placental growth factor (PlGF)), with clinical and routinely collected blood/urinary markers to determine clinically indicated need for delivery within seven days of assessment. Overall trial start date: 01/02/2016 Overall trial end date: 30/04/2018 - updated 18/07/2018: 29/02/2020 Target number of participants: 600 - updated 18/07/2018: 500 Recruitment start date: 01/04/2016 Recruitment end date: 30/04/2018 - updated 18/07/2018: 31/12/2018 More details can be found at: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hta/155906/#/ PHOEBE (PHOENIX-3) sub-study: Mechanisms of action of intervention in the PHOENIX trial: in women with preterm pre-eclampsia does planned delivery improve postpartum maternal cardiac function through attenuation of myocardial ischaemia at time of disease? Study hypothesis: To examine the effects of delivery in women with late preterm preeclampsia, compared to expectant management and delivery at 37 weeks gestation on cardiovascular function at six months postpartum. Overall trial start date: 01/02/2016 Overall trial end date: 30/04/2018 - updated 18/07/2018: 30/09/2019 Target number of participants: 404 Recruitment start date: 01/04/2016 Recruitment end date: 30/04/2018 - updated 18/07/2018: 30/11/2018 More details can be found at: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/eme/152302/#/ |
| Ethics approval(s) | Hampshire B NRES Committee, 19/12/2013, ref: 13/SC/0645 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Pre-eclampsia in women between 34+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation |
| Intervention | Planned immediate delivery of women with pre-eclampsia between 34+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation versus expectant management and delivery at 37 weeks of gestation. Women will be followed up to until their child is 2 years of age, corrected for prematurity. If a woman is enrolled at 34 weeks of gestation (the earliest time point at which they can be enrolled), the total duration of her participation in the study will be 28 months. Added 05/10/2016: PEACOCK (PHOENIX-2) sub-study: Clinical, blood and urine parameters taken at the time of randomisation into the PHOENIX trial in women with late preterm pre-eclampsia. PHOEBE (PHOENIX-3) sub-study: Non-revealed blood test for biomarker assessment of myocardial ischaemia (e.g. for highly sensitive cardiac troponin and Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein C), together with repeat non-revealed blood test and echocardiography with tissue Doppler studies at around 6 months postpartum. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Primary short-term maternal outcome: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Secondary short-term maternal outcomes: |
| Completion date | 26/01/2021 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 900 |
| Total final enrolment | 901 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria as of 05/10/2016: 1. Women between 34+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation 2. Confirmed as having pre-eclampsia (as defined as defined by International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy {ISSHP} 2014 statement) 3. Singleton or dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy 4. Aged 18 years or over at the time of screening 5. Able to give written informed consent Previous inclusion criteria: 1. Women between 34+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation 2. Confirmed as having pre-eclampsia (as defined by the NICE guidelines on Hypertension in Pregnancy) 3. An in-patient in a consultant-led maternity unit 4. Singleton or dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy 5. Aged 18 years or over at the time of screening 6. Able to give written informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | Women will be excluded from participating in the study if a decision has already been made to delivery within the next 48 hours |
| Date of first enrolment | 29/09/2014 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Prof. Lucy Chappell (lucy.chappell@kcl.ac.uk). |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 28/09/2019 | 02/09/2019 | Yes | No |
| Results article | Results of PEACOCK nested study of prognostic model | 01/05/2021 | 25/05/2021 | Yes | No |
| Results article | Cost-utility analysis | 21/07/2022 | 22/07/2022 | Yes | No |
| Results article | Secondary analysis of PHOEBE (PHOENIX-3) sub-study data | 17/05/2024 | 21/05/2024 | Yes | No |
| Protocol article | protocol | 28/01/2019 | 31/01/2019 | Yes | No |
| Funder report results | 01/11/2022 | 13/12/2022 | No | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
21/05/2024: Publication reference added.
13/12/2022: Publication reference added.
22/07/2022: Publication reference added.
25/05/2021: Publication reference added.
23/02/2021: The overall trial end date was changed from 31/12/2020 to 26/01/2021.
13/01/2020: The overall trial end date was changed from 29/02/2020 to 31/12/2020.
02/09/2019: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
31/01/2019: Publication reference added.
18/07/2018: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/04/2018 to 31/12/2018.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 30/04/2018 to 29/02/2020.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 30/04/2019 to 01/02/2020.
14/03/2018: Internal review.
10/01/2017: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/08/2017 to 30/04/2018.
2. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust was added as a sponsor.
05/10/2016: Addition of two nested studies PEACOCK (PHOENIX-2) and PHOEBE (PHOENIX-3).
