Don't get left behind! The modernized ClinicalTrials.gov is coming. Check it out now.
Say goodbye to ClinicalTrials.gov!
The new site is coming soon - go to the modernized ClinicalTrials.gov
Working…
ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov Menu

Study Comparing Two Tapering Strategies of Prednisone in Myasthenia Gravis (MYACOR)

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00987116
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : September 30, 2009
Last Update Posted : October 13, 2017
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Tracking Information
First Submitted Date  ICMJE September 29, 2009
First Posted Date  ICMJE September 30, 2009
Last Update Posted Date October 13, 2017
Actual Study Start Date  ICMJE June 2009
Actual Primary Completion Date July 2017   (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Current Primary Outcome Measures  ICMJE
 (submitted: September 29, 2009)		 Proportion of patients who have reach minimal manifestation state (according to MGFA criteria) and are not treated with prednisone after 12 months of treatment and have not relapsed during the next 3 months. [ Time Frame: 15 months ]
Original Primary Outcome Measures  ICMJE Same as current
Change History
Current Secondary Outcome Measures  ICMJE
 (submitted: September 29, 2009)
  • Cumulative dose of prednisone at twelve months [ Time Frame: 15 MONTHS ]
  • Proportion of patients having reached minimal manifestation state 12 months [ Time Frame: 15 MONTHS ]
  • Time for reaching the improvement or minimal manifestation state (MGFA criteria) [ Time Frame: 15 MONTHS ]
  • Frequency of exacerbations within the first 15 months after randomization [ Time Frame: 15 MONTHS ]
  • Frequency of treatment by IvIg or plasma exchange within the first 15 months after randomization [ Time Frame: 15 MONTHS ]
  • Frequency and type of complications related to prednisone. [ Time Frame: 15 MONTHS ]
  • Frequency and type of complications of azathioprine [ Time Frame: 15 MONTHS ]
Original Secondary Outcome Measures  ICMJE Same as current
Current Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures Not Provided
Original Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures Not Provided
 
Descriptive Information
Brief Title  ICMJE Study Comparing Two Tapering Strategies of Prednisone in Myasthenia Gravis
Official Title  ICMJE Comparison of Two Tapering Strategies of Prednisone in Patients With Generalised Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Prednisone and Azathioprine: a Single-blind Randomised Controlled Multicenter Study
Brief Summary

Pathology - Generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) is cause of muscle weakness that can have a significant impact on daily life activity but can also be, when respiratory or bulbar muscles are involved, life-threatening.

Rationale - Additionally to thymectomy, which indication of is still debated in absence of thymoma, the long-term treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis includes usually prednisone and azathioprine. However, the most used scheme for prescribing and tapering corticosteroid in MG resulted in a very important cumulative dose of prednisone. Indeed, at twelve month, more than 50 percent of patients are still daily treated with at least 18 mg of prednisone and the proportion of patients who are in remission and no longer taking prednisone is very low (Palace and NEWSOM Davis, Neurology 1998). Prolonged corticosteroid therapy is accompanied with various and major side effects, hypertension, osteoporosis, weight gain, glaucoma. Therefore, tapering, eventually discontinuing, prednisone earlier is a relevant therapeutic goal.

For this reason, the investigators will compare to the standard one, a strategy consisting of a rapid decrease in corticosteroid.

Objective - To assess whether, in patients with generalized MG requiring a long-term treatment with corticosteroids and azathioprine, that the strategy of rapid tapering allows discontinuing more rapidly the prednisone for equivalent efficacy than the classical strategy.
Detailed Description

Rapid strategy consists of decreasing the prednisone dose if at each monthly consultation the patient fulfils the criteria for improvement or minimal manifestation state, in order to discontinue it before twelve months. The starting dose is 0.75 mg/kg/day.

Classical strategy consists of decreasing the prednisone dose if at each monthly consultation the patient fulfils the criteria for minimal manifestation state, in order to discontinue it before twelve months. The starting dose is 1.5 mg/kg/2days.

Duration of follow-up is 15 months.

In both arms, Myasthenia Muscular Score (MMS), activities of Daily Living Scale (ADLS), MGFA Clinical Classification and MGFA Post-Intervention Status as well as prednisone and azathioprine side effects will be monthly assessed by a senior neurologist who will be blind for treatment group. A second physician, who is aware of the patient's therapeutic group, will then prescribe prednisone dose and tapering for a month, according to MGFA Post-Intervention Status.

In case of worsening, prednisone dose will be increased. In case of exacerbation, the patients will be hospitalised for eventually IvIg infusion or plasma exchange. In case of a severe side effect, prednisone will be reduced irrespectively of MGFA Post-Intervention Status. In case of side effect, azathioprine will be replaced by mycophenolate mofetil.
Study Type  ICMJE Interventional
Study Phase  ICMJE Phase 4
Study Design  ICMJE Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Condition  ICMJE Myasthenia Gravis
Intervention  ICMJE Drug: Prednisone - Azathioprine

Rapid strategy consists of decreasing the prednisone dose if at each monthly consultation the patient fulfils the criteria for improvement or minimal manifestation state, in order to discontinue it before twelve months. The starting dose is 0.75 mg/kg/day.

Classical strategy consists of decreasing the prednisone dose if at each monthly consultation the patient fulfils the criteria for minimal manifestation state, in order to discontinue it before twelve months. The starting dose is 1.5 mg/kg/2days.
Study Arms  ICMJE
  • Active Comparator: Starting dose Prednisone Azathioprine
    Classical Strategy
    Intervention: Drug: Prednisone - Azathioprine
  • Active Comparator: Starting dose Prednisone - Azathioprine
    Rapid strategy
    Intervention: Drug: Prednisone - Azathioprine
Publications * Sharshar T, Porcher R, Demeret S, Tranchant C, Gueguen A, Eymard B, Nadaj-Pakleza A, Spinazzi M, Grimaldi L, Birnbaum S, Friedman D, Clair B; MYACOR Study Group. Comparison of Corticosteroid Tapering Regimens in Myasthenia Gravis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2021 Apr 1;78(4):426-433. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.5407.

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.
 
Recruitment Information
Recruitment Status  ICMJE Completed
Actual Enrollment  ICMJE
 (submitted: September 16, 2014)		 118
Original Estimated Enrollment  ICMJE
 (submitted: September 29, 2009)		 114
Actual Study Completion Date  ICMJE September 2017
Actual Primary Completion Date July 2017   (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Eligibility Criteria  ICMJE

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Written consent of the patient, after informing
  • Generalized MG of grade III, IV or V - Classification MGFA
  • Follow-up on 15 months possible and accepted by patients

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age<18 or >80 years
  • Pregnancy
  • Myasthenia of grade I or II of MGFA
  • Patients already treated with prednisone or azathioprine
  • Contraindication for prednisone or azathioprine
  • Other associated disease requiring a treatment with prednisone or azathioprine
  • Weight >100kg
  • Invasive thymoma
Sex/Gender  ICMJE
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Ages  ICMJE 18 Years to 80 Years   (Adult, Older Adult)
Accepts Healthy Volunteers  ICMJE No
Contacts  ICMJE Contact information is only displayed when the study is recruiting subjects
Listed Location Countries  ICMJE France
Removed Location Countries  
 
Administrative Information
NCT Number  ICMJE NCT00987116
Other Study ID Numbers  ICMJE P051055
Has Data Monitoring Committee Yes
U.S. FDA-regulated Product Not Provided
IPD Sharing Statement  ICMJE Not Provided
Current Responsible Party Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Original Responsible Party Aurelie Guimfack, Department Clinical Research of Developpement
Current Study Sponsor  ICMJE Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Original Study Sponsor  ICMJE Same as current
Collaborators  ICMJE Not Provided
Investigators  ICMJE
Principal Investigator: Tarek Sharshar, MD PH Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
PRS Account Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Verification Date October 2017

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