A trial investigating pregnancy and infant outcomes in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy treated with ursodeoxycholic acid or placebo.
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN91918806 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91918806 |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | 2014-004478-41 |
| Protocol serial number | 19531 |
| Sponsor | King's College London |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research |
- Submission date
- 26/08/2015
- Registration date
- 27/08/2015
- Last edited
- 12/09/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Itching is common during pregnancy. It is due to an increase in the amount of blood supplied to the skin and stretching of the skin as the pregnancy progresses. Mild itching is of little concern, but if it becomes severe, it can be a sign of a liver condition called obstetric cholestasis, or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Symptoms (other than the itching) can include dark urine, jaundice and pale bowel movements. Some research has shown that babies born of mothers with ICP are more likely to be born premature or even be stillborn. The main drug used to treat ICP is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Our earlier study showed that a woman with ICP is willing to take part in a trial comparing UDCA with placebo (an identical tablet not containing the drug. Results suggested that UDCA may protect the unborn baby from poor outcomes, but was not large enough to be certain. However, the current guideline from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) states, “Women should be informed of the lack of robust data concerning protection against stillbirth and safety to the fetus or neonate”. Lack of robust data means that the trials did not have enough women taking part. This larger trial would address this problem allowing the RCOG to have clearer guidelines. This matters because doctors use this guideline to direct their treatment. Here, we are going to compare the effects of taking UDCA compared to a placebo on the rate of adverse outcomes for the baby including death, preterm delivery and neonatal unit admission. We will also be investigating why ICP causes preterm birth and how it can cause the baby to be sick or die. We know that ICP babies have higher rates of breathing problems and spend longer on neonatal units, but we do not know whether this is due to high bile acid levels or because ICP pregnancies are often delivered early because doctors worry about the risk of stillbirth. This part of the study will try and find out why these problems happen and will also aim to find out if UDCA may prevent these complications. This research will give vital information to help doctors understand and try and prevent the poor outcomes for the baby in ICP pregnancies.
Who can participate?
Pregnant women aged at least 18, diagnosed with ICP, between 20 weeks and 40 weeks, and carrying a single baby or twins.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in group 1 are given 500mg of UDCA increased by 500mg per day every 3-14 days of there is no sign of their condition improving up to a maximum of 2g per day. Those participants in group 2 are given placebos at the same dose increments. Blood samples are also taken from each participant to investigate how ICP might cause premature birth, stillbirth or the baby otherwise becoming ill or dying.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There may be both risks and benefits in taking part which is why we feel it is important to do this study, to improve care for women with ICP. UDCA is licensed for use, but not in pregnancy. However the manufacturer agrees that doctors may use it in pregnancy if they think it may be beneficial. Many doctors believe that it is safe to use and do prescribe it routinely in clinical practice for ICP. Earlier studies
have suggested that UDCA may protect the unborn baby from poor outcomes, but the studies have not been large enough to be certain. The study may not help you directly during this pregnancy, but the results will help us know if UDCA should be prescribed to women with ICP in the future.
Where is the study run from?
St. Thomas Hospital, London and 30 other NHS hospitals (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2015 to February 2019
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Mrs Anne Smith
Contact information
Scientific
University of Oxford
Old Road Campus
Roosevelt Drive
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7DQ
United Kingdom
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Not specified, Treatment |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Phase III trial in IntrahepaTic CHolestasis of pregnancy (ICP) to Evaluate urSodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in improving perinatal outcomes. |
| Study acronym | PITCHES |
| Study objectives | The primary hypothesis is that UDCA treatment in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy reduces perinatal death, preterm delivery and neonatal unit admission with associated improvement in perinatal outcome. |
| Ethics approval(s) | NRES Committee East of England - Essex, 18/02/2015, ref: 15/EE/0010 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy |
| Intervention | Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) vs. placebo 1. UDCA 1g daily (500mg bd) increased in increments of 500mg per day every 3-14 days if there is no biochemical or clinical improvement to a maximum of 2g per day. The dose of IMP may be reduced to 500mg daily. Administered orally as Ursofalk tablets each containing 500mg UDCA 2. Identical placebo tablets administered in the same dose increments orally. |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Phase III |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Ursodeoxycholic acid |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Composite outcome of perinatal death, preterm delivery or neonatal admission for at least four hours; Timepoint(s): Between randomisation and 7 days post delivery (death), or to discharge (neonatal unit admission) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Peak maternal serum concentration (between randomisation and delivery) of following biochemical indices of disease: |
| Completion date | 28/02/2019 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 580 |
| Total final enrolment | 605 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. ICP (pruritus with a raised serum bile acid above the upper limit of normal for the local laboratory) 2. 20+0 to 40+6 weeks' gestation on day of randomisation 3. No known lethal fetal anomaly 4. Singleton or twin pregnancy 5. Aged 18 years or over 6. Able to give written informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Decision has already made for delivery within the next 48 hours 2. Allergy to any component of the UDCA or placebo tablets 3. Triplet or higher-order multiple pregnancy |
| Date of first enrolment | 12/10/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/08/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
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 |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 07/09/2019 | 06/08/2019 | Yes | No |
| Results article | 01/12/2020 | 12/09/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | protocol | 27/11/2018 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Other publications | secondary analysis | 01/10/2020 | 22/10/2020 | Yes | No |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
12/09/2023: Publication reference added.
22/10/2020: Publication reference added.
06/08/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
04/12/2018: Publication reference added.
05/10/2018: Intention to publish date added.
