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Steroid Therapy in Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Study NCT00001306   Information provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
First Received: November 3, 1999   Last Updated: August 24, 2009   History of Changes

November 3, 1999
August 24, 2009
July 1992
May 1995   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
 
 
Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00001306 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site
 
 
 
Steroid Therapy in Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure
Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure: A Controlled Trial of Alternate-Day Prednisone Therapy

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. ...

Autoimmune oophoritis is a distinct clinical entity and a known cause of premature ovarian failure. It is characterized by the presence of circulating adrenal antibodies. No therapy for infertile patients with premature ovarian failure due to autoimmune oophoritis has been proven effective by prospective controlled study. Anecdotal reports have suggested that high-dose, long-term prednisone therapy may be useful in treating autoimmune ovarian failure. However, prednisone, when used in high-dose for a long-term has substantial side effects, including aseptic necrosis of bone requiring major surgical intervention. Despite this risk, patients with premature ovarian failure are being treated based on this anecdotal evidence. We are aware of two patients with premature ovarian failure who developed aseptic necrosis of bone on high-dose, long-term prednisone therapy administered elsewhere.

This protocol will test the hypothesis that a lower risk therapy (alternate-day, lower dose, shorter-term prednisone) will induce remission of ovarian failure caused by autoimmune oophoritis. The protocol will use a double-masked, placebo-controlled design. Patients with premature ovarian failure who have serologic evidence of steroidogenic cell autoimmunity will be candidates. Successful outcome will be defined as a return of ovulation as determined by weekly serum progesterone levels. The hypothesis that short-term, alternate-day prednisone therapy restores ovulation will be tested with an equality of proportions test comparing the proportion of patients who ovulate during placebo with the proportion of patients who ovulate during prednisone therapy.

 
Observational
 
  • Autoimmune Disease
  • Infertility
  • Premature Ovarian Failure
 
 

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by National Clinical Trials Identifier (NCT ID) in Medline.
 
Recruiting
50
 
May 1995   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
  • 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.

Female
18 Years to 39 Years
No
Contact: Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office (800) 411-1222 prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
Contact: TTY 1-866-411-1010
United States
 
NCT00001306
 
920223, 92-CH-0223
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
 
 
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
February 2009

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP