NCT00072982

Brief Summary

The object of this study is to determine whether treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a combination of fish oil and borage seed oil is superior to treatment with either oil alone. This study will also investigate the biochemical, immunological, and molecular mechanism responsible for the therapeutic effects of these fatty acids. Each patient will be followed for eighteen months.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
156

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_3 rheumatoid-arthritis

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2006

Geographic Reach
1 country

13 active sites

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 13, 2003

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 17, 2003

Completed
3 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2006

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2008

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2008

Completed
Last Updated

August 25, 2008

Status Verified

August 1, 2008

Enrollment Period

1.5 years

First QC Date

November 13, 2003

Last Update Submit

August 22, 2008

Conditions

Keywords

Fish oilBorage oil

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • The modified Disease Activity Score (DAS28) will be the primary outcome measure.

    Assessed every 3 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Reduction of other medication for RA

    Assessed every 3 months

Study Arms (3)

1

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Fish Oil

Drug: fish oil

2

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Borage Oil

Drug: borage seed oil

3

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Fish Oil and Borage Oil

Drug: combination fish oil and borage seed oil

Interventions

The object of this intervention is to determine whether treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a combination of fish oil and borage seed oil is superior to treatment with either oil alone. Each arm of the study will take 13 capsules daily (divided doses) for 18 months.

Also known as: EPA
1

Borage oil 13 capsules divided doses daily for 18 months

Also known as: GLA
2

Fish oil and borage seed oil capsules - 13 capsules to be be taken daily (divided doses) for a period of 18 months

Also known as: EPA and GLA
3

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 85 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Definite RA with onset at \> 16 years, with total disease duration of at least 6 months
  • Active disease as manifested by at least 3 joints that are swollen and 6 joints that are tender at time of enrollment, and either an erythrocyte sedimentation rate \>\_28, or a CRP \>1.4, or morning stiffness of at least 45 min
  • Stable dose of DMARDs for 2 mos before baseline visit, with total duration of DMARD for 6 mos.
  • All standard therapy for RA, including DMARDs and combinations of DMARDs will be allowed as long as doses have been stable for 2 mos
  • Stable NSAID for 1 month before baseline if on an NSAID
  • Stable prednisone dose of \< 10 mg/day for 1 month before baseline visit, if on prednisone
  • Ability to give and understand all elements of informed consent
  • Absence of comorbid condition which, in the opinion of the physician-investigator, would render the patient unsuitable for the study
  • Willingness to adhere to the clinical protocol.

You may not qualify if:

  • A diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis other than rheumatoid arthritis
  • Chronic anticoagulation
  • Hypersensitivity to fish or fish products or plant products
  • A dose of prednisone of \> 10 mg/day, or either a change in the prednisone dose or intra-articular corticosteroid injection within one month of the baseline evaluation
  • An inability or unwillingness to use an effective form of contraception (females) during the duration of the study
  • Pregnant and breast-feeding females
  • Inability or unwillingness to adhere to the study diet
  • Platelet count \< 100,000/mm 3
  • Hemoglobin \< 9 g/dl
  • Albumin \< 3.3 g

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (13)

UAB Arthritis Clinical Intervention Program

Birmingham, Alabama, 35297, United States

Location

New England Res. Associates

Trumbull, Connecticut, 06611, United States

Location

RASF Clinical Research Center

Boca Raton, Florida, 33486, United States

Location

Lake Rheumatology

Tavares, Florida, 32778, United States

Location

Fallon Clinic Health Care

Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, United States

Location

Division of Rheumatology, Umass Memorial Health Care

Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, United States

Location

Rheumatology and Internal Medicine Associates of West County, PC

St Louis, Missouri, 63131, United States

Location

Joel M. Kremer

Albany, New York, 12206, United States

Location

Prem Tambar, MD

Niagara Falls, New York, 14303, United States

Location

Bryn Mawr Medical Specialists

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, 19010, United States

Location

Geisinger Medical Center

Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822, United States

Location

Altoona Center for Clinical Research

Duncansville, Pennsylvania, 16635, United States

Location

Piedmont Arthritis Clinic

Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

Interventions

Fish Oilsborage oilgamma-carboxyglutamyl-gamma-carboxyglutamic acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

ArthritisJoint DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesRheumatic DiseasesConnective Tissue DiseasesSkin and Connective Tissue DiseasesAutoimmune DiseasesImmune System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

OilsLipids

Study Officials

  • Robert B Zurier, MD

    University of Massachusetts, Worcester

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
NIH

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 13, 2003

First Posted

November 17, 2003

Study Start

November 1, 2006

Primary Completion

May 1, 2008

Study Completion

November 1, 2008

Last Updated

August 25, 2008

Record last verified: 2008-08

Locations