Completed

Age: 18Years - 39Years
FEMALE
ID00001306

Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure: A Controlled Trial of Alternate-Day Prednisone Therapy

Led by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) · Updated on 2017-07-02

33

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

No therapy for infertile patients with premature ovarian failure has been proven effective. Some anecdotal reports have suggested that high dose, long term prednisone (steroid) therapy may be useful in treating autoimmune ovarian failure. However, prednisone, when used in high-doses for long periods of time has substantial side effects, including aseptic necrosis of bone where portions of bone die without the presence of infection and are surrounded by healthy tissue. Aseptic necrosis of bone often requires major surgical treatment. Even with this known level of risk, patients with premature ovarian failure are being treated based on this anecdotal evidence. This study will test the hypothesis that a lower risk therapy (alternate-day, lower dose, shorter-term prednisone) will cause a remission of autoimmune ovarian failure. There is no reliable blood test to identify patients who have premature ovarian failure. Therefore, all patients must undergo a laparoscopic ovarian biopsy to confirm the presence of an auto immune reaction in the ovaries (autoimmune oophoritis). Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows doctors to explore the abdomen using a camera-like device called a laparoscope. The procedure has been used clinically by some reproductive endocrinologists to identify patients with premature ovarian failure who have an autoimmune mechanism for the disorder. The treatment will be deemed successful based on the return of ovulation as determined by weekly serum progesterone levels.

CONDITIONS

Official Title

Steroid Therapy in Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 39Years
FEMALE

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Women 18 to 39 years of age with premature ovarian failure who meet the following requirements will be candidates for the study:

At least a four month history of amenorrhea not due to pregnancy,

Clearly elevated gonadotropins with a serum FSH greater than or equal to 40 IU/L on two separate occasions at least one month apart,

Positive adrenal or ovarian antibodies demonstrated by indirect immuno-fluorescence using monkey tissue as substrate or other laboratory evidence of steroidogenic cell autoimmunity such as the presence of antibodies against 21-hydroxylase,

No evidence for genetic, metabolic, toxic, or iatrogenic cause of the ovarian failure,

No medical contraindication to glycocorticoid therapy,

No glycocorticoid therapy taken in the past year (patients on appropriate replacement therapy for Addison's disease are not excluded),

No medical contraindication to pregnancy.

Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

History of severe allergic reactions to study medication Currently pregnant or breastfeeding Recent participation in another clinical trial within the last 30 days Presence of uncontrolled medical conditions that could affect safety

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Status Unknown

Loading map...

How is the study designed?

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Masking

N/A

Allocation

N/A

Model

N/A

Primary Purpose

N/A

Number of Arms

0

Not the Right Trial for You?

Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Already have an account? Log in here

Published Research Related To This Trial

Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure: A Controlled Trial of Alternate-Day Prednisone Therapy | DecenTrialz