Status:

COMPLETED

Food Supplementation With VSL#3 as a Support to Standard Pharmaceutical Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis

Lead Sponsor:

VSL Pharmaceuticals

Conditions:

Ulcerative Colitis

Eligibility:

All Genders

18+ years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled study to assess the beneficial effects of food supplementation with VSL#3 as a support to standard pharmaceutical therapy in patients affected by...

Detailed Description

Title: Food supplementation with the probiotic preparation VSL#3 as a support to standard pharmaceutical therapy in patient with mild to moderate active Ulcerative Colitis. A double-blind, randomized...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Male and female patients aged more than 18 years;
  • Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis established by previous colonoscopy, with consistent histology and clinical course;
  • Ulcerative colitis extending for more than 15 cm from the anal verge, that is involving at least the rectosigmoid. This is based on colonoscopy at any time since the onset of ulcerative colitis. Activity (not extent) must be confirmed by colonoscopy at the beginning of the study;
  • Mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis. Patients must have a minimum score of 3 and a maximum score of 8 on the 12 point UCDAI (Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index - see Appendix 3) that measures stool frequency, rectal bleeding, endoscopic findings and physician's overall assessment of disease severity;
  • Symptomatic (current episode) for less than 4 weeks;
  • Minimum endoscopic score of 2 on the UCDAI at screening (mucosal appearance);
  • Use of oral 5-ASA at least 4 weeks prior to study entry, at same dose; and/or use of Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine at least 3 months prior to study entry, at same dose;
  • Negative pregnancy test on screening and agreeing to use valid contraception for the duration of the study;
  • Patient not requiring hospitalisation;
  • Willing an able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion

  • Crohn's disease or pouchitis;
  • UCDAI greater than 8 (need for emergency surgery or presence of severe disease;
  • Use of oral steroids within the last 4 weeks prior to study entry;
  • Use of antibiotics within the last 2 weeks prior to study entry;
  • Change in dose of oral 5-ASA within the last 4 weeks prior to study entry and throughout the 8 week study period, or change in dose of oral 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine drugs within the last 3 months prior to study entry and throughout the 8 week study period;
  • Use of rectal 5-ASA or steroids for one week before and throughout the 8 week study period;
  • Use of probiotic preparations either prescribed or over-the-counter within 2 weeks prior to study entry;
  • Use of NSAIDS for one week before and throughout the 8 week study period;
  • Significant hepatic, renal, endocrine, respiratory, neurological or cardiovascular disease as determined by the Investigator;
  • History of severe adverse reaction or known hypersensitivity to maltose and/or silicon dioxide;
  • Patient requiring hospitalisation;
  • Pregnant or lactating women, or women of child bearing potential not using an acceptable form of birth control (negative pregnancy test also required);
  • Use of any investigational drug and/or participation in any clinical trial within 3 months of entry to this study;
  • Inability to give a valid informed consent or to properly follow the protocol

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

October 1 2006

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ACTUAL

End Date :

October 1 2008

Estimated Enrollment :

144 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT00951548

Start Date

October 1 2006

End Date

October 1 2008

Last Update

August 4 2009

Active Locations (13)

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Page 1 of 4 (13 locations)

1

U.O. di Medicina Interna Ospedaliera Policlinico di Bari

Bari, Italy, 70023

2

Reparto di Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva Azienda Ospedaliera Pugliese-Ciaccio

Catanzaro, Italy, 88100

3

U.O. Fisiopatologia Digestiva Azienda Ospedaliera Mater Domini Campus Universitario di Germaneto

Catanzaro, Italy, 88100

4

Dipartimento di Chirurgia Generale Servizio di Endoscopia Digestiva Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti

Latina, Italy, 04100