NCT00220259

Brief Summary

The overall aim of this study is to find out whether taking regular inhaled steroids (eg Pulmicort, Flixotide, Becotide, Becloforte) is good for the lungs of children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Some patients are put on inhaled steroids because they are wheezy despite taking regular bronchodilators (inhaled medicines that help open up the airways eg Ventolin, Bricanyl). Occasionally young children are put on them when they wheeze with colds, and have simply remained on them ever since. However many CF patients have been put onto inhaled steroids because their doctors thought it might reduce the inflammation in the lungs and help improve lung function. This inflammation (which is swelling of the lining of the airways) is known to be important in CF and results from recurrent chest infections. Although it is believed, in theory, that inhaled steroids should be useful for most CF patients, we are not sure how well they work in CF and it has not yet been possible to prove this with standard studies. This would normally involve starting inhaled steroids in patients who have not been taking them. We have therefore taken a different approach, namely to withdraw them from some patients who have been on them for a long time, to see if there is any effect of stopping them. It is important that we answer this question, as we do not want CF patients taking medicines that may be unnecessary. CF patients already have to take many oral and inhaled medicines and if we can cut down this burden, it would be helpful for everyone. Of course, we may find that patients do need these medicines but at least we will then be certain that it is for a good reason. The main hypothesis is that withdrawing inhaled steroids is not associated with an earlier onset of acute chest exacerbations.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
240

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2001

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

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

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 1, 2001

Completed
3.8 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 1, 2005

Completed
8 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 20, 2005

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 22, 2005

Completed
Last Updated

November 8, 2005

Status Verified

September 1, 2005

First QC Date

September 20, 2005

Last Update Submit

November 7, 2005

Conditions

Keywords

Cystic Fibrosis, inhaled corticosteroids

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Time to first respiratory exacerbation

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Decline in lung function

  • New courses of antibiotics

  • Bronchodilator usage

Interventions

Eligibility Criteria

Age6 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Diagnosis of CF (positive sweat test or DNA analysis). .Age over 6.0 years (no upper limit). .FEV1 \> 40% predicted for gender, height and age. .Already taking ICS for at least 3 months. .Patients who are able to perform spirometry and can correctly use their prescribed inhaler.
  • Patients whose parents or legal guardians are willing to give written informed consent for their child to participate in the study. The investigators will also obtain consent from the child whenever possible.
  • Patients who are likely to cooperate with taking the study medication and attend the clinic at appointed times.

You may not qualify if:

  • Taking oral corticosteroids, usually for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), currently or within the previous month.
  • Cases in which the clinician feels unhappy about stopping ICS due to severe lung disease or concomitant "asthma" (see below).
  • Course of intravenous antibiotics (IVABs) within last month.
  • Taking part in another drug trial within last 2 months. .Use of high doses of inhaled corticosteroids (greater than or equal to 2000mcg/d fluticasone for 17 years or over and greater than or equal to 1000mcg/d fluticasone if less than 17 years.
  • Patients with any medical or psychological condition, which in the opinion of the investigators precludes their entry into the study.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Royal Brompton Hospital

London, London, SW3 3NP, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cystic Fibrosis

Interventions

Fluticasone

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pancreatic DiseasesDigestive System DiseasesLung DiseasesRespiratory Tract DiseasesGenetic Diseases, InbornCongenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and AbnormalitiesInfant, Newborn, Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

AndrostadienesAndrostenesAndrostanesSteroidsFused-Ring CompoundsPolycyclic Compounds

Study Officials

  • Ian M Balfour Lynn, MD

    Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 20, 2005

First Posted

September 22, 2005

Study Start

May 1, 2001

Study Completion

February 1, 2005

Last Updated

November 8, 2005

Record last verified: 2005-09

Locations