Azithromycin for the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN51790058 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN51790058 |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | 2010-023254-36 |
| Protocol serial number | 11656 |
| Sponsor | Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (UK) |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research (UK) - Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB); Grant Codes: PB-PG-0609-19279 |
- Submission date
- 25/02/2014
- Registration date
- 25/02/2014
- Last edited
- 06/04/2021
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Urological and Genital Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is caused by the spread of sexually transmitted infections from the vagina and cervix. If inadequately treated, PID can have serious consequences such as scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. If taken correctly, a standard 14 days of antibiotic treatment has a cure rate of over 90%. However, because symptoms often improve within 7 days and antibiotics cause significant side effects, many women stop taking the medication early, thus the infection may not clear completely and may lead to further complications . The aim of this study is to simplify the standard antibiotic treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Who can participate?
Women who attend the genitourinary clinic with mild to moderate symptoms of PID (pain for less than 30 days)
What does the study involve?
Women are examined, have swabs taken to check for infection and are asked to fill in a questionnaire about pain and their beliefs around medicines. Women are then randomly allocated to either the standard of care (14 days of antibiotics) or the 5-day course of antibiotics. The women and research nurse know which antibiotics they are taking, but not the doctor. At follow-up in the clinic women are asked to complete a further questionnaire about pain, health beliefs, side effects and ability to take the tablets. The research nurse calls the women at 68 weeks for a final assessment, and where infection was found, invites women for repeat samples.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
If a difference is found between the two antibiotic regimens in women with PID it will change the local treatment policies and so may improve future treatments for patients. There are no risks from any of the antibiotics; they are all used commonly for other conditions. All antibiotics can sometimes cause nausea, vomiting and rash but participants may not experience any side effects at all.
Where is the study run from?
This is a multi-centre study running in Brighton, London, Birmingham, Eastbourne/Hastings and Sheffield (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2012 to May 2015
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Gillian Dean, gillian.dean2@nhs.net
Contact information
Scientific
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
United Kingdom
| gillian.dean2@nhs.net |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Is a short course of azithromycin effective in the treatment of mild to moderate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)? |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to assess whether a shorter course of antibiotics taken over 5 days is as effective as the 14 day course and whether women find the shorter course more acceptable when compared to the current standard of treatment. |
| Ethics approval(s) | NRES Committee South East Coast - Brighton and Sussex, 10/03/2011, ref.:10/H1107/70 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Topic: Infection, Reproductive Health and Childb; Subtopic: Infection (all Subtopics), Reproductive Health and Childb (all Subtopics); Disease: Infectious diseases and microbiology , Reproductive Health & Childbirth |
| Intervention | Standard of care (14 days of antibiotics) or the 5 day course of antibiotics. Abdominal & Bimanual Exam, Modified McCormack Score used. Baseline and Day 14-21; BMQ questionnaire Baseline and Day 14-21; Informed Consent, Informed consent in writing before any protocol specific procedures MARS Questionnaire, Day 14-21 visit Side Effects Questionnaire, Day 14-21 visit Telephone follow-up, 6-8 week follow-up visit Urinalysis, Baseline for pregnancy test Visual Analogue Scale for Pain, At Baseline and Day 14-21 visit Follow-Up Length: 2 month(s) Study Entry: Single Randomisation only |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Phase IV |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Azithromycin |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Clinical efficacy of treatment regimes; Timepoint(s): Comparing improvement of pain scores: baseline to Day 14-21 |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Comparison of adherence; Timepoint(s): Day 14-21 |
| Completion date | 01/05/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 396 |
| Total final enrolment | 313 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Presence of all of: 1. Pelvic discomfort for < 30 days 2. Direct lower abdominal tenderness +/ rebound tenderness 3. Adnexal/cervical motion tenderness 4. Target Gender: Female; Upper Age Limit 60 years ; Lower Age Limit 16 years |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Women who do not consent 2. Age < 16 years 3. Abdominal pain requiring hospital admission 4. Positive pregnancy test 5. Urinary tract infection 6. Temperature >38 °C (indicator of severe infection) 7. Antibiotics within the last 7 days 8. Known allergy or intolerance to antibiotic component 9. Ultrasound scan showing other pathology 10. History of epilepsy 11. Severe depression |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/11/2011 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/09/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
BN2 5BE
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Other |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 13/11/2020 | 06/04/2021 | Yes | 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
06/04/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. The scientific contact's details have been updated and the plain English summary updated accordingly.
2. The sponsor email address has been updated.
3. Publication reference added.
4. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
5. The EudraCT number has been corrected.
06/08/2020: No publications found.
09/08/2017: Added recruitment dates, publication and dissemination plan, IPD sharing statement.
