Prophylactic Metformin After Antenatal Corticosteroids
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10156101 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10156101 |
| Protocol serial number | MREC ID NO: 20161019-4384 |
| Sponsor | University Malaya Medical Centre |
| Funder | University Malaya Medical Centre |
- Submission date
- 13/01/2017
- Registration date
- 04/05/2017
- Last edited
- 14/10/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Steroids are a type of medication used to treat a wide range of conditions. They contain a man-made version of hormones that are normally produced in the body. In women who are at risk of giving birth too early (prematurely), steroids are often given to help the reduce any negative effects on the baby once he or she is born. A common side effect of taking steriods is an increase in the mother’s blood sugar levels, which can last for up to five days. High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) for prolonged periods can be dangerous for both mother and baby, can cause problems for pregnancy and baby. However, it is not established whether a short period (up to 5 days) of higher blood sugar level in mothers who receive steroids will lead to long-term effects. Metformin is a medication used to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and is the first line treatment for diabetes in pregnancy in Malaysia. Metformin should also be effective in lowering high blood sugar due to administration of steroids. The aim of this study is to find out whether giving metformin at the same time as steroid treatment can help to control blood sugar levels and possibly leads to better outcomes for mother and baby after birth.
Who can participate?
Pregnant women between 24-38 weeks who are about to receive or within 6 hours of first dose of antenatal corticosteroids.
What does the study involve?
Pregnant women who are about to receive or within 6 hours of first dose of antenatal steroids spaced 12 hours apart are randomly allocated to one of two study groups, ensuring there are an equal number of diabetic and non-diabetic women in each group.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
All participants benefit from in-depth blood sugar monitoring, which would quickly identify if a woman’s blood sugar is too high and she needs treatment. Participants who receive the metformin may benefit from having fewer episodes of high blood sugar levels. There is a risk that participants who receive the metformin may experience side effects from the medication such as nausea, stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. There is a small risk that that metformin may cause low blood sugar.
Where is the study run from?
University Malaya Medical Centre (Malaysia)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2016 to January 2018
Who is funding the study?
University Malaya Medical Centre (Malaysia)
Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Jesrine Hong (scientific)
2. Professor Peng Chiong Tan (scientific)
3. Professor Siti Zawiah binti Omar (scientific)
Contact information
Scientific
University Malaya Medical Centre
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-8585-2357 |
|---|
Scientific
University Malaya Medical Centre
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
| ORCID ID |
0000-0001-8713-6581 |
|---|
Scientific
University Malaya Medical Centre
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
| Phone | +603 79493209 |
|---|---|
| szawiah@ummc.edu.my |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Double blind single-centre prospective randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN10156101_PIS_21Oct16_V1.0.doc |
| Scientific title | Prophylactic Metformin After Antenatal Corticosteroids (PROMAC): A Double Blind Randomised Controlled Trial |
| Study acronym | PROMAC |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to show that metformin given prophylactically after administration of antenatal corticosteroids will ameliorate the hyperglycemic effect. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Medical Research Ethics Committee, University Malaya Medical Centre, 30/11/2016, ref: 20161019-4384 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Pregnancy |
| Intervention | Eligible patients receiving or about to receive intramuscular dexamethasone 12 mg for 2 doses 12 hours apart as per our institution’s antenatal corticosteroid protocol to improve neonatal outcome will be approached to participate. Participants will be stratified to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and non-GDM pregnancies for separate randomisation using sequential assignment of sealed numbered envelopes which contained the study drug (a pack of six 500 mg metformin tablets or identical placebo). Participants will be observed to take the first dose of their allocated study drug (500 mg metformin or identical placebo tablet) with the remaining five tablets to be taken twice daily with their breakfast and dinner over the following 3 days. If the second dose (at the next breakfast or dinner) is within 6 hours of the first dose, it should be omitted, with the second dose to be taken at the subsequent breakfast or dinner. If delivery occurs within the 3-day study period, the study drug will be stopped. Point of care capillary blood glucose is to be tested at recruitment and repeated 6 times per day (before and 2 hours after each breakfast, lunch and dinner for up to three consecutive days (18 readings). If delivery occurs within the 3-day study period, the blood glucose monitoring will be stopped. Patients will be provided with blood glucose monitoring system (to be returned), test strips, lancets and taught to self-monitor their blood glucose level and record it in a record sheet. Participants will be told to continue their usual diet during the study. The participants will be instructed that if blood glucose level is more than 11 mmol/L during monitoring, they are to contact investigator immediately through the hand phone number provided (if already discharged from hospital). Open label 500 mg metformin tablets will be provided to all participants in a separate sealed pack labeled as “Rescue Metformin, Use Only as Instructed”. In the event that glucose level is > 11 mmol/L whether pre or post prandial at any meal, 500 mg of open label metformin will be administered. Study drug shall continue at breakfast and dinner as planned e.g. if the pre breakfast capillary glucose is > 11 mmol/L, the participant will take a 500 mg metformin (open label) plus the scheduled study tablet. A maximum of three open label 500 mg metformin may be taken per day. If control is insufficient, despite three open label metformin doses (plus study drug regimen), subcutaneous insulin will be used as per usual institutional practice for uncontrolled hyperglycaemia in pregnancy following rehospitalisation if the patient is already discharged. |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Not Applicable |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Metformin, Placebo |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Hyperglycemia episodes in the 24 hours following administration of antenatal corticosteroids. Hyperglycemia is defined as pre meal blood glucose level of more than 5.3 mmol/L and 2 hours post prandial/meal blood glucose of more than 6.7 mmol/L and these are measured by point of care capillary blood glucose monitoring system at 6 points (pre and post breakfast, lunch and dinner). |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Neonatal outcome, as assessed by reviewing patient’s and baby’s notes after delivery: |
| Completion date | 31/01/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 60 |
| Total final enrolment | 103 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. All antenatal cases between 24-38 weeks who are about to receive or within 6 hours of first dose of antenatal corticosteroids for improvement of neonatal outcome in anticipation of premature delivery 2. Age more than 18 years old 3. Singleton pregnancy |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Patients on hypoglycaemic agent 2. Pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus 3. Baseline capillary blood glucose more than 11mmol/L (at recruitment) 4. Patients in active labour or may deliver within the next 24 hours after administration of antenatal corticosteroids 5. Evidence of chorioamnionitis or other maternal or fetal infection 6. Twin/ multiple pregnancies 7. Patients on terbutaline or other beta-mimetic agents 8. Diet restrictions in anticipation of Caesarean birth |
| Date of first enrolment | 25/05/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 14/11/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Malaysia
Study participating centre
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 15/02/2021 | 16/08/2022 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | version V1.0 | 21/10/2016 | 14/06/2017 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | 14/10/2022 | No | No |
Additional files
- ISRCTN10156101_PIS_21Oct16_V1.0.doc
- Uploaded 14/06/2017
- ISRCTN10156101_PROTOCOL.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
14/10/2022: Uploaded protocol (not peer reviewed).
16/08/2022: Publication reference added.
31/10/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment start date has been changed from 01/05/2017 to 25/05/2017.
2. The recruitment end date has been changed from 31/10/2017 to 14/11/2017.
3. The final enrolment number has been added.
30/10/2019: The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/01/2019 to 01/02/2020.
14/06/2017: The participant information sheet has been uploaded.
