1
|
Helen T, Liz C, Laura C, Illary S, Martin B, Hannah B, Ian C, Jo D, Chris F, Rachael F, Rhian G, Keith H, Alison L, Ellie L, Catriona MD, Christine M, Debbie R, Gerard S, David T, Peter V, Laurie W, Robert H. Aspirin versus placebo for the treatment of venous leg ulcers-a phase II, pilot, randomised trial (AVURT). Trials 2019; 20:459. [PMID: 31349862 PMCID: PMC6660698 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3480-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) can take many months to heal and 25% fail to heal. The main treatment for venous leg ulcers is compression therapy and few additional therapies exist. Two previous trials indicated that low-dose aspirin may improve healing time, but these trials were insufficiently robust. METHODS A multi-centred, pilot, phase II, randomised, double blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, efficacy trial (RCT) was conducted to determine: if aspirin improves VLU healing time; the safety of aspirin in this population; treatment compliance; and the feasibility of recruitment to a phase III trial. We recruited patients from secondary care who were aged ≥ 18 years, had a chronic VLU and not regularly taking aspirin. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 300 mg of daily aspirin or placebo in addition to standard care, which consisted of multi component compression therapy aiming to deliver 40 mmHg at the ankle where possible. The randomisation list was stratified by ulcer size (≤ 5 cm2 or > 5 cm2). The primary endpoint was time to ulcer healing, which was defined as 'complete epithelial healing in the absence of scab (eschar) with no dressing required'. Safety outcomes were assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of the study drug. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients were recruited from eight sites (target 100 patients). A short time-frame to recruit and a large number of patients failing to meet the eligibility criteria were the main barriers to recruitment. There was no evidence of a difference in time to healing of the reference ulcer following adjustment for log ulcer area and duration (hazard ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 1.85; p = 0.357). One expected serious adverse event related to aspirin was recorded. A number of options to improve recruitment were explored. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence that aspirin was effective in expediting the healing of chronic VLUs. However, the analysis was underpowered due to the low number of participants recruited. The trial design would require substantial amendment in order to progress to a phase III (effectiveness) trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02333123. Registered on 5 November 2014.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tilbrook Helen
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Cook Liz
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Clark Laura
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Sbizzera Illary
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Bland Martin
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Buckley Hannah
- Cancer Division, Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Chetter Ian
- Academic Vascular Surgical Unit, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 2JZ UK
| | - Dumville Jo
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
| | - Fenner Chris
- Orthopaedic Department, West Middlesex Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW9 1UR UK
| | - Forsythe Rachael
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Gabe Rhian
- Hull York Medical School & York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Harding Keith
- Wound Healing, Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN UK
| | - Layton Alison
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster Park Road, Harrogate, HG2 7SX UK
| | - Lindsay Ellie
- (Lay representative). The Lindsay Leg Club Foundation, PO Box 689, Ipswich, IP1 9BN UK
| | - Mc Daid Catriona
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Moffatt Christine
- The University of Nottingham, School of Health Sciences, Derby Education Centre, Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3DT UK
| | - Rolfe Debbie
- Joint Research and Enterprise Office, St Georges University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE UK
| | - Stansby Gerard
- Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN UK
| | - Torgerson David
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Vowden Peter
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD9 6RJ UK
| | - Williams Laurie
- (Lay representative). The Lindsay Leg Club Foundation, PO Box 689, Ipswich, IP1 9BN UK
| | - Hinchliffe Robert
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tilbrook H, Clark L, Cook L, Bland M, Buckley H, Chetter I, Dumville J, Fenner C, Forsythe R, Gabe R, Harding K, Layton A, Lindsay E, McDaid C, Moffatt C, Rolfe D, Sbizzera I, Stansby G, Torgerson D, Vowden P, Williams L, Hinchliffe R. AVURT: aspirin versus placebo for the treatment of venous leg ulcers - a Phase II pilot randomised controlled trial. Health Technol Assess 2018; 22:1-138. [PMID: 30325305 DOI: 10.3310/hta22550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the most common cause of leg ulceration, affecting 1 in 100 adults. VLUs may take many months to heal (25% fail to heal). Estimated prevalence is between 1% and 3% of the elderly population. Compression is the mainstay of treatment and few additional therapies exist to improve healing. Two previous trials have indicated that low-dose aspirin, as an adjunct to standard care, may improve healing time, but these trials were insufficiently robust. Aspirin is an inexpensive, widely used medication but its safety and efficacy in the treatment of VLUs remains to be established. OBJECTIVES Primary objective - to assess the effects of 300 mg of aspirin (daily) versus placebo on the time to healing of the reference VLU. Secondary objectives - to assess the feasibility of leading into a larger pragmatic Phase III trial and the safety of aspirin in this population. DESIGN A multicentred, pilot, Phase II randomised double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled efficacy trial. SETTING Community leg ulcer clinics or services, hospital outpatient clinics, leg ulcer clinics, tissue viability clinics and wound clinics in England, Wales and Scotland. PARTICIPANTS Patients aged ≥ 18 years with a chronic VLU (i.e. the VLU is > 6 weeks in duration or the patient has a history of VLU) and who are not regularly taking aspirin. INTERVENTIONS 300 mg of daily oral aspirin versus placebo. All patients were offered care in accordance with Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidance with multicomponent compression therapy aiming to deliver 40 mmHg at the ankle when possible. RANDOMISATION Participants were allocated in a 1 : 1 (aspirin : placebo) ratio by the Research Pharmacy, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, using a randomisation schedule generated in advance by the investigational medicinal product manufacturer. Randomisation was stratified according to ulcer size (≤ 5cm2 or > 5cm2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The primary outcome was time to healing of the largest eligible ulcer (reference ulcer). FEASIBILITY RESULTS – RECRUITMENT 27 patients were recruited from eight sites over a period of 8 months. The target of 100 patients was not achieved and two sites did not recruit. Barriers to recruitment included a short recruitment window and a large proportion of participants failing to meet the eligibility criteria. RESULTS The average age of the 27 randomised participants (placebo, n = 13; aspirin, n = 14) was 62 years (standard deviation 13 years), and two-thirds were male (n = 18). Participants had their reference ulcer for a median of 15 months, and the median size of ulcer was 17.1 cm2. There was no evidence of a difference in time to healing of the reference ulcer between groups in an adjusted analysis for log-ulcer area and duration (hazard ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 1.85; p = 0.357). One expected, related serious adverse event was recorded for a participant in the aspirin group. LIMITATIONS The trial under-recruited because many patients did not meet the eligibility criteria. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence that aspirin was efficacious in hastening the healing of chronic VLUs. It can be concluded that a larger Phase III (effectiveness) trial would not be feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials.gov NCT02333123; European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT) 2014-003979-39. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 22, No. 55. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Tilbrook
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Laura Clark
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Liz Cook
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Martin Bland
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Hannah Buckley
- Cancer Division, Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ian Chetter
- Academic Vascular Surgical Unit, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - Jo Dumville
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Chris Fenner
- Orthopaedic Department, West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth, UK
| | - Rachael Forsythe
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rhian Gabe
- Hull York Medical School and York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Keith Harding
- Wound Healing, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Alison Layton
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate, UK
| | | | - Catriona McDaid
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Christine Moffatt
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK
| | - Debbie Rolfe
- Joint Research and Enterprise Office, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Illary Sbizzera
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - David Torgerson
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Peter Vowden
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
| | | | - Robert Hinchliffe
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jindal R, Dekiwadia DB, Krishna PR, Khanna AK, Patel MD, Padaria S, Varghese R. Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Points for the Management of Venous Ulcers. Indian J Surg 2018; 80:171-182. [PMID: 29915484 DOI: 10.1007/s12262-018-1726-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Venous ulcer is an extremely common aetiology of lower extremity ulceration, which affects approximately 1% population in most of the countries, and the incidence rate increases with age and female gender. Proper assessment and diagnosis of both the patient and ulcer are inevitable in order to differentiate venous ulcers from other lower extremity ulceration and to frame an adequate and individualised management plan. Venous ulcers generally persist for weeks to many years and are typically recurrent in nature. This consensus aims to present an evidence-based management approach for the patients with venous ulcers. Various management options for venous ulcers include compression therapy, minimally invasive procedures like sclerotherapy and ablation techniques, surgical procedures, debridement and medical management with micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF). Compression therapy is the mainstay treatment for venous ulcer. However, in failure cases, surgery can be preferred. Medical management with MPFF as an adjuvant therapy to standard treatment has been reported to be effective and safe in patients with venous ulcer. In addition to standard therapy, diet and lifestyle modification including progressive resistance exercise, patient education, leg elevation, weight reduction, maintaining a healthy cardiac status and strong psychosocial support reduces the risk of recurrence and improves the quality of life in patients with venous ulcer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ajay K Khanna
- 4Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | | | - Shoaib Padaria
- Jaslok Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital, Sir H.N. Hospital, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Roy Varghese
- 7Daya Hospital, Jubilee Mission Medical College, Trichur, Kerala India
| |
Collapse
|