NCT00563615

Brief Summary

Functional constipation is a common problem in Hong Kong. In a recent telephone survey, the prevalence of constipation as defined by Rome II criteria was 14%. Apart from organic, metabolic, neurological and drug induced causes, constipation most often arises from 2 disorders of colorectal motility: slow transit constipation or pelvic floor dysfunction or both. In the position statement from the American Gastroenterological Association , colon transit study was recommended to differentiate slow transit constipation from pelvic floor dysfunction. The management algorithm for normal transit and slow transit constipation was different and surgery should be considered for patients with slow transit constipation. In a recent paper by Bonapace , scintigraphy could be used to study both gastric, small bowel and large bowel transit time. The clinical diagnosis was changed in 51% of cases of constipation after scintigraphy and patient management such as adding a prokinetic agent, referral to biofeedback center, decision on surgery was affected in 64% of cases. Tegaserod is a recently approved prokinetic agent to be marketed in Hong Kong for the management of patients with constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS). In a paper from Mayo clinic based on scintigraphic examination, tegaserod 2mg bd accelerates orocaecal transit in C-IBS patients. However studies in functional constipation basing on tegaserod 6 mg twice daily has not been published yet. Therefore, the Gastroenterology team and nuclear medicine teams of Princess Margaret Hospital, Gastroenterology teams of Caritas Medical Center and Yan Chai Hospital decide to study small and large bowel transit in functional constipation patients by scintigraphy. The efficacy of tegaserod in improving bowel transit is also examined in this randomized double blind placebo controlled study.

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
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2004

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

3 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

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2004

Completed
1.9 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 1, 2006

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 21, 2007

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 26, 2007

Completed
Last Updated

July 7, 2010

Status Verified

July 1, 2010

First QC Date

November 21, 2007

Last Update Submit

July 6, 2010

Conditions

Keywords

Constipation (idiopathic)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Small and large bowel transit time

    2 weeks after treatment

Interventions

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • History of functional constipation as proposed by the Rome II Criteria and the usual frequency of spontaneous bowel motion must be equal or less than 2 times /week.
  • An endoscopic/radiologic bowel evaluation (colonoscopic examination and/or a sigmoidoscopy + barium enema) is required in patients older than 40 years. This evaluation must have been performed within the past 5 years. In addition, there should not be history or evidence of weight loss, anemia or rectal bleeding since the evaluation was performed.
  • Note: For patients who require these procedures, these tests should be performed after the patient has signed informed consent and at least 7 days PRIOR to the start of the diaries (washout period). The 7-day window is to allow the patient to recuperate prior to collecting baseline data.
  • A copy of the report should be placed in the patient source document.
  • Patients who are able to communicate well with the investigator and to comply with the requirements for the entire study, including the withdrawal period.
  • Patients who provide written informed consent before participating in the study after being given a full description of the study.

You may not qualify if:

  • Medications known to affect gastrointestinal transit before 1 week of the treatment phase of the study.
  • With clinical evidence (including physical exam, vital signs, ECG, laboratory tests) of significant cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, hematology, endocrine or metabolic disorders, neurologic disease, or of any disease that may interfere with the patient successfully completing the study.
  • Existence of surgical or medical conditions which interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the study medication.
  • With hypo or hyper thyroidism (clinically significant abnormal TSH level at screening).
  • With symptoms of a significant clinical illness in the two weeks preceding baseline.
  • With other relevant intercurrent medical condition that may interfere with the objectives of the study.
  • Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • With evidence or history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 12 months.
  • Who received another investigational drug within the 30 days prior to entry in the study.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (3)

Caritas Medical Centre

Hong Kong, China

RECRUITING

Princess Margaret Hospital

Hong Kong, China

RECRUITING

Yan Chai Hospital

Hong Kong, China

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Constipation

Interventions

tegaserod

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms, DigestiveSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Ambrose CP Kwan, Dr

    Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Unit A, Princess Margaret Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ambrose CP Kwan, Dr

CONTACT

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 21, 2007

First Posted

November 26, 2007

Study Start

November 1, 2004

Study Completion

October 1, 2006

Last Updated

July 7, 2010

Record last verified: 2010-07

Locations