Randomized Trial of Vitamin A and Vitamin E Supplementation for Retinitis Pigmentosa

September 16, 2009 updated by: National Eye Institute (NEI)
To determine whether supplements of vitamin A or vitamin E alone or in combination affect the course of retinitis pigmentosa.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal degenerations with a worldwide prevalence of about 1 in 4,000. Patients typically report night blindness in adolescence and lose vision in the midperipheral followed by far-peripheral visual field in adulthood due to progressive loss of both rod and cone function. Most patients have reductions in central vision by age 50 to 80 years. Modern-day electroretinograms (ERGs) make it possible to record retinal responses from most patients with remaining vision and thereby monitor objectively the course of their disease.

While the natural course of retinal degeneration in the common forms of RP was being studied, it was noted that a subgroup of patients aged 18 through 49 who were treating themselves with both vitamin A and vitamin E and other nutritional supplements exhibited less decline in ERG amplitude over a 2-year period. These preliminary findings, as well as the known roles of vitamins A and E in maintaining normal photoreceptor function and structure, prompted this randomized, controlled trial to determine whether these vitamins alone or in combination would halt or slow the progression of the common forms of RP.

This study was a randomized, controlled double-masked trial with 2 x 2 factorial design and duration of 4 to 6 years. Patients were assigned to one of four treatment groups:

15,000 IU/day vitamin A

15,000 IU/day vitamin A + 400 IU/day vitamin E

trace amounts of both vitamins A and E

400 IU/day of vitamin E

The main outcome measure was the 30-Hz cone ERG amplitude. In addition, visual field and visual acuity were measured annually.

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

  • Phase 3

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

Ages Eligible for Study

16 years to 47 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Men and nonpregnant women between ages 18 and 49 years with common forms of RP were included. All eligible patients had retinal arteriolar attenuation, elevated dark adaptation thresholds, and reduced ERGs. Patients had best corrected Snellen visual acuity of 20/100 or better, central visual field diameter on the Goldman perimeter with V4 e white test light of 8 degrees or greater, and ERG amplitude of 2.5 or greater in response to 0.5-Hz white light or of 0.12 ultraviolet light or greater in response to 30-Hz white flickering light in at least one eye. In addition, patients had normal fasting serum retinol and serum liver function profile and weight above the lower fifth percentile for age, sex, and height. All patients had a total estimated pre-trial intake of vitamins A and E from diet plus pills not greater than 11,500 IU/day and 40 IU/day, respectively.

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: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

National Eye Institute (NEI)

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

Helpful Links

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

May 1, 1984

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 1987

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 23, 1999

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 23, 1999

First Posted (Estimate)

September 24, 1999

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 17, 2009

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 16, 2009

Last Verified

September 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NEI-10

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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