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Sponsored by: |
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) |
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Information provided by: | National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00668434 |
Sciatica is a condition that causes a sharp, burning pain in the back, buttock, and leg. The condition is caused by injury to or compression of the sciatic nerve, which is located in the back of the leg. This study will determine the effectiveness of the steroid prednisone in decreasing pain and improving function in people with sciatica.
Condition | Intervention | Phase |
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Sciatica |
Drug: Prednisone Drug: Placebo |
Phase III |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Treatment, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator), Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Efficacy Study |
Official Title: | A Corticosteroid Taper for Acute Sciatica Treatment (The ACT FAST Study) |
Estimated Enrollment: | 270 |
Study Start Date: | November 2008 |
Estimated Study Completion Date: | May 2011 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date: | May 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
Arms | Assigned Interventions |
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A: Experimental
Participants will receive a 15-day tapering course of prednisone capsules.
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Drug: Prednisone
For participants who weigh 50 kg or more, the prednisone dose will be 60 mg daily for 5 days, then 40 mg daily for 5 days, and then 20 mg daily for 5 days. For participants who weigh less than 50 kg, the dose will be 40 mg daily for 10 days, and then 20 mg daily for 5 days.
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B: Placebo Comparator
Participants will receive a 15-day course of placebo capsules.
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Drug: Placebo
Placebo capsules will look the same as the study medication but will not contain active medicine.
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Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated disc in the lumbar region of the back and results from inflammation of the nerve roots as they exit the spine. It is a very common cause of back and leg pain, loss of function, and inability to work. Although sciatica is common, the effectiveness of current treatments is limited. Epidural steroid injections (ESIs), which can reduce inflammation of the nerve roots, are commonly used to decrease sciatica pain and restore normal function in patients. The exact effectiveness of ESIs, however, is unknown. If inflammation, and not compression, is the main cause of sciatica, it is reasonable to consider giving the steroid orally rather than by injection. If oral steroids prove effective, patients and clinicians will have access to a simple, inexpensive therapy that can be prescribed by primary care physicians without delay. This study will determine the effectiveness of the oral steroid prednisone in decreasing pain and improving function in people with sciatica.
Participants in this study will attend a screening visit at which they will answer questions about their health to determine eligibility, undergo a neurologic exam, and have a plain lower spine x-ray. An MRI of the lower spine will be performed for those who meet clinical eligibility. Participants whose MRI shows that a disc has ruptured in a specific way will be randomly assigned to receive either a 15-day course of prednisone capsules or a 15-day course of placebo capsules. Participants will take their assigned study medications in addition to their usual pain medications.
At Week 3, participants will return for a follow-up visit during which they will answer questions about their pain and general health and wellness. Participants who are still having considerable pain will be offered an epidural steroid injection (ESI) as a part of the study. At Week 6, participants will be called at home for a telephone interview and again answer questions about their general health and wellness; this telephone call will last about 20 minutes. If they continue to have considerable pain, they will be offered a second ESI as part of the study.
At Week 12, an interviewer will phone participants to determine if their pain has decreased and whether they have been able to return to their normal activities. The telephone contact will last about 20 minutes. Additional information about their back problems will be obtained from their medical records and from Kaiser Permanente's computerized medical records on their use of health care and medicines for back problems. At Week 24, participants will attend an evaluation visit at the Spine Clinic to assess their progress and symptoms. At Week 52 (1 year from randomization), participants will undergo a final telephone interview.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 20 Years to 60 Years |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Contact: Harley Goldberg, DO | 408-972-6267 | |
Contact: Andrew L. Avins, MD, MPH | 510-891-5957 |
United States, California | |
Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Jose | Recruiting |
San Jose, California, United States, 94119 | |
Principal Investigator: Harley Goldberg, DO | |
Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Redwood City | Recruiting |
Redwood City, California, United States, 94063 |
Principal Investigator: | Harley Goldberg, DO | Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center |
Principal Investigator: | Andrew L. Avins, MD, MPH | Kaiser Permanente Division of Research |
Principal Investigator: | William Firtch, MD | Kaiser Permanente Redwood City |
Responsible Party: | Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center ( Harley Goldberg, DO ) |
Study ID Numbers: | R01 AR053960 |
Study First Received: | April 25, 2008 |
Last Updated: | November 17, 2008 |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00668434 |
Health Authority: | United States: Federal Government |
Back Pain Leg Pain |
Sciatica Prednisone Signs and Symptoms Neuromuscular Diseases Neuralgia |
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Mononeuropathies Back Pain |
Anti-Inflammatory Agents Sciatic Neuropathy Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal Antineoplastic Agents Therapeutic Uses Physiological Effects of Drugs |
Nervous System Diseases Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Hormones Glucocorticoids Pharmacologic Actions |