Effect of Calcium Polycarbophil on Type II Diabetes Mellitus Control: a Randomized Double-blind Study

August 31, 2012 updated by: Tae Joon Lee, East Carolina University
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a form of fiber if effective in improving the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Measurements of other possible medical benefits will include blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and the number/dosage of medications used for diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

There have been several publications in the medical literature linking the use of various types of fiber and the beneficial effects on lipid panel, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, weight, blood pressure, and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or those at risk for diabetes1-5. Most of these studies utilize fiber sources from dietary food intake or psyllium.

However, diet modification and psyllium intake are difficult for patients to comply on daily basis and many patients do not continue to follow through on these interventions.

Polycarbophil is a bulk forming agent which is used for similar indications as psyllium for the treatment of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Because polycarbophil comes in oral tablets and capsules, patients may adhere to regular intake better compared to psyllium. However, it is unknown whether polycarbophil has similar beneficial properties compared to psyllium and other fiber types. Taking polycarbophil prior to each meal may improve diabetes control by allowing patients to have smaller meals and decrease the absorption rate of carbohydrates in the intestine.

The goal of this study is to determine whether taking calcium polycarbophil (also known as over-the-counter FiberconTM) regularly will improve the diabetes control. The proposed study will be a randomized, controlled, and double-blinded trial involving adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 50 patients will be randomized to receive either calcium polycarbophil or placebo from the Family Medicine Center at East Carolina University and followed over 6 months. The primary outcome of the trial will be glycosylated hemoglobin A1c. Secondary outcome measures will include weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol level. Additional secondary outcome measures are the number and dosages of medications for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

The potential benefits of this study include improved control of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, reflected by the improved outcomes mentioned above. Because calcium polycarbophil (FiberconTM) is a commonly used over-the-counter fiber product for constipation, and the dosage used in this study is well within the typical use recommended by the manufacturers, the potential adverse effects of this product is thought to be identical to that described for FiberconTM. Patients will receive their usual medical care by their own primary physicians regardless of their participation in this study. After the randomization to the intervention or the control group, the study team will only monitor the outcome measures and will not alter the medical care that the patients receive.

Study title:

Effects of calcium polycarbophil on type II diabetes mellitus control: a randomized double-blinded study.

Patient population:

East Carolina University Family Medicine Center (ECU FMC) outpatient clinic patients Age above 18 Diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) for at least 24 months. At least 4 office visits within the past 24 months for DM follow up at ECU FMC or Geriatrics Center.

Hgb A1c within the past six months of 8% to 10%.

Exclusion criteria:

Dementia diagnosis or other psychiatric diagnoses that preclude the patient from being able to consent for this study by him/herself.

Already taking fiber supplementation (polycarbophil, psyllium, methylcellulose) Severe problems with previous use of fiber supplementation (i.e. fecal impaction) Dysphagia or other swallowing disorders (unable to swallow pills or 8 oz of water) Pregnancy during the study period

Consent:

Will be obtained from the patients for the study and HIPAA.

Study design:

Randomize 50 patients to intervention or placebo:

Intervention: 25 patients to receive calcium polycarbophil 625mg po TID before each meal with 8 oz glass of water for 6 months.

Placebo control: 25 patients to receive placebo po TID before each meal with 8 oz glass of water for 6 months.

Total of 50 participants projected from the following power calculation:

Assuming a difference between groups in HbA1c of 0.5%, a standard deviation of 0.5, a power of 80% and an alpha of 0.05, an estimated 18 patients in each group (n = 36 pts) will be needed to detect a difference. Assuming a 25% dropout rate, the goal of 25 patients in each group (n=50 pts) will be needed.

Patients, primary physicians, and the researchers will be blinded to therapy versus placebo. Randomization will be performed by the ECU FM pharmacist who will open a sealed envelope which will indicate whether the patient will receive the interventional medication or placebo. The tablets will be dispensed by the pharmacist without informing the patient, physicians, or research team member as to which group the patient was randomized.

All patient will continue with their usual DM care. The patients must follow up at 3 months and 6 months.

A research team member will perform telephone follow up at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months for adverse events and compliance.

The outcomes will be analyzed by intention to treat analysis and analysis using patients who are compliant with the trial protocol.

Primary outcome:

HgbA1c at the time of enrollment, 3 months, and 6 months.

Secondary outcome:

Data will be gathered at the time of enrollment, 3 months, and 6 months:

Weight Blood Pressure Number and dosage of medications for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia Serum LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol Patient compliance with the study medication Adverse events including GI discomfort, constipation, excessive flatulence, fecal impaction, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, etc.

Potential adverse events:

Side effects of Polycarbophil (MicroMedex 2.0): Abdominal fullness, flatus, vomiting, stomach cramps. Systemic adverse effects are not expected since calcium polycarbophil is not absorbed

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
48

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • North Carolina
      • Greenville, North Carolina, United States, 27834
        • East Carolina University Family Medicine Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18 and older
  • Diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus for at least 24 months
  • At least 4 office visits within the past 24 months for diabetes mellitus follow up at ECU Family Medicine Center
  • Hemoglobin A1c within the past six months between 8% to 10%

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Dementia diagnosis or other psychiatric diagnoses that preclude the patient from being able to consent for this study by him/herself
  • Already taking fiber supplementation (polycarbophil, psyllium, methylcellulose)
  • Severe problems with previous use of fiber supplementation
  • Dysphagia or other swallowing disorders, preventing the subject from swallowing pills or 8 oz of water
  • Pregnancy during the study period

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
A placebo tablet PO TID before each meal with 8 oz of water for 6 months.
Drug: Placebo
Placebo tablet po TID before each meal with 8 oz of water for 6 months
Experimental: Calcium polycarbophil
Calcium polycarbophil 625 mg PO TID before each meal with 8 oz of water for 6 months
Drug: Calcium polycarbophil
calcium polycarbophil 625 mg po TID before each meal with 8 oz water for 6 months
Other Names:
  • Konsyl
  • Fibercon

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Hemoglobin A1c from baseline
Time Frame: Enrollment, 3 months, 6 months
Change in hemoglobin A1c will be measured during these time intervals to determine the effects of polycarbophil on diabetes mellitus control.
Enrollment, 3 months, 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Weight
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Blood Pressure
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Number and dosage of medications for DM, HTN, and hyperlipidemia
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Serum LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Adverse outcomes
Time Frame: 3 months, 6 months
GI discomfort, constipation, excessive flatulence, fecal impaction, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, other reported side effects.
3 months, 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
East Carolina University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Tae J Lee, MD, CMD, East Carolina University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
November 5, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 2, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
December 3, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 3, 2012

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 31, 2012

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 10-0422

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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