GAG-therapy Efficacy Trial Solution for Bladder Pain Syndrome/ Interstitial Cystitis (GETSBI Study) (GETSBI)

GAG-therapy Efficacy Trial Solution for Bladder Pain Syndrome/ Interstitial Cystitis

Rationale:

Efficacy study (RCT) for glycosaminoglycan(GAG)-therapy for the indication bladder pain syndrome / interstitial cystitis with Hunner lesion subtype (BPS-IC H+). reason for this study is a current lack of evidence regarding its efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

Main objective is to determine short and long term efficacy of GAG therapy (bladder instillations) for people with BPS-IC H+ as compared to placebo treatment on dominant symptoms such as pain and Quality of Life (QOL)

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Bladder Pain Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: IALURIL Prefill

Detailed Description

Rationale:

Reimbursement in the Netherlands for GAG-therapy for bladder pain syndrome / interstitial cystitis patients with Hunner lesion subtype (BPS-IC H+) is under debate, as evidence regarding its efficacy and cost-effectiveness is lacking.

Objective:

Main objective is to determine short and long term efficacy of GAG therapy (bladder instillations) for people with BPS-IC H+ as compared to placebo treatment on dominant symptoms such as pain. Secondary objectives are to determine the 1) cost-effectiveness of GAG therapy, 2) effectiveness of GAG therapy on quality of life and bladder inflammation evaluated by urethrocystoscopy

Study design:

Multi-design study. Study is powered and set-up as double-blinded randomized intervention study and is extended with a double-blinded aggregated N-of-1 trial. As requested by the Zorginstituut Netherlands, the study will be further extended with a prospective, non-blinded intervention study to evaluate long term follow up with a low frequency therapy dose.

Study population:

People with symptomatic BPS-IC H+ (> 18 yrs old). A total of 80 patients will be included for the main study.

Intervention :

GAG bladder instillations (hyaluronic acid + chondroitin sulfate; Ialuril) 50ml administered with a catheter. Placebo will be Hypromellose 50ml administered with a catheter. Patients will receive instillations (Ialuril / placebo with ratio 2:1) in 3 periods of 6 wks with frequency of 1 instillation/wk. With wash-out periods 4 wks. After 3 periods of treatment / placebo (wk 30), blinding will cease and continue unblinded where all subjects will receive maintenance therapy Ialuril for 1x/4wk until 54 weeks (endpoint).

Main study parameters/endpoints:

Primary outcome parameter: change from baseline in maximum bladder pain (visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score (3d average and maximal pain score).

Secondary outcome parameters:

• Change from baseline in VAS score (0-10) on self-reported secondary symptoms
• Change from baseline from self-reported Global Assessment of Improvement (Likert scale)
• Change from baseline from O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom Index & Problem Index questionnaire
• Change from baseline in urethrocystoscopic evaluation of bladder mucosa (inflammation, active Hunner lesions) (clinician assessed estimated % of inflammation & degree of inflammation)
• Change from baseline in Quality of Life using ED-5D 5L questionnaire (Dutch)
• Cost effectiveness analyses using iMCQ and iPCQ questionnaires
• Changes in Patient Reported Outcome questionnaire (incl. urinary frequency)
• Adverse events using Clavien-Dindo system

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness:

Benefits patients and group relatedness. All participants are capacitated adults and will receive a similar amount of intervention and placebo treatments. Treatment corresponds to the Dutch NVU guideline BPS. Therapy will be reimbursed for patients. During 54wks, patients will have a 6 week period where placebo is given. Due to the study design, patients can obtain a personal (individual) study efficacy result if therapy was successful in him/her.

Therapy and placebo: risks and burden This study will be submitted as low-intervention trial. GAG therapy (instillations) has been used for >25 yrs in clinical practice to treat BPS-IC. GAG-therapies are registered as medical devices. The therapy is instilled into the bladder using a catheter (by nurse / patient). Catherization has a small increased risk for developing an urine tract infection (1.9%) [Herr 2015], urethral discomfort and in rare cases urethral trauma.

The placebo compound Hypromellose 0.3% is used as moisturizing drops to treat dry eyes. It is inert (non-irritating and hypo-allergenic). Very rare (< 0.01%) side effects are reported in the Dutch 'Farmacologisch Kompas'. They report local side effects of sensitivity (burning, itch, tears e.d.). Blurry vision. and very rare systemic effects as rash, itch.Because of these reported side effects at inclusion the (over)sensitivity is checked by one drop in an eye, taking into account the possible blurry vision afterwards.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 80
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: D.A.W. Janssen, MD PhD; Phone Number: +31641856516; Email: dick.janssen@radboudumc.nl
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Charlotte van Ginkel, MD; Email: charlotte.jvanginkel@radboudumc.nl

Study Locations

• Netherlands
  • Arnhem, Netherlands, 6815AD
    • Recruiting
    • Rijnstate
    • Contact: Michael van Balken, PhD MD; Email: mvanbalken@rijnstate.nl
    • Principal Investigator: Michael van Balken, PhD MD
  • Baarn, Netherlands, 3741GP
    • Recruiting
    • Andros Clinics
    • Contact: Erik Arendsen, MD PhD; Email: e.arendsen@andros.nl
    • Contact: Dick Janssen; Email: d.janssen@andros.nl
    • Principal Investigator: Erik Arendsen, MD pHD
  • Doetinchem, Netherlands, 7009 BL
    • Not yet recruiting
    • Slingeland
    • Contact: Erich Taubert, PhD MD; Email: e.taubert@slingeland.nl
    • Principal Investigator: Erich Taubert, PhD MD
  • Eindhoven, Netherlands, 5623 EJ
    • Recruiting
    • Catharina Ziekenhuis
    • Contact: Evert Koldewijn, PhD mD; Email: evert.koldewijn@catharinaziekenhuis.nl
    • Principal Investigator: Evert Koldewijn, PhD MD
  • Leiden, Netherlands, 2334 CK
    • Recruiting
    • Alrijne Ziekenhuis
    • Contact: Barbara Schout, PhD MD; Email: bmaschout@alrijne.nl
    • Principal Investigator: Barbara Schout, PhD MD
  • Maastricht, Netherlands, 6229HX
    • Recruiting
    • MUMC+
    • Contact: John Heesakkers, Prof PhD MD; Email: john.heesakkers@mumc.nl
    • Principal Investigator: John Heesakkers, Prof PhD MD
  • Zwolle, Netherlands, 8025 AB
    • Recruiting
    • Isala Klinieken
    • Contact: Bart Witte, PhD MD; Email: i.p.w.witte@isala.nl
    • Principal Investigator: Bart Witte, PhD MD
  • Gelderland
    • Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands, 6500
      • Recruiting
      • Radboud Unviversity Nijmegen Medical Centre
      • Contact: Charlotte van Ginkel, MD; Email: charlotte.jvanginkel@radboudumc.nl
      • Contact: Dick Janssen, MD PhD; Phone Number: 0243610503; Email: dick.janssen@radboudumc.nl
      • Principal Investigator: Dick Janssen, MD
      • Sub-Investigator: Charlotte van Ginkel, MD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult patients (18 yrs or older) with symptomatic BPS with established Hunner lesions objectified with urethrocystoscopy in the 3 months prior to inclusion.
2. A VAS pain score (maximum pain during the last 3 days; scale 0-10) of at least 4.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. pain, discomfort in pelvic region of inflammatory bladder conditions due to any cause other than BPS with Hunner lesions, with the exception of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and hypertonic pelvic floor or urine tract infections (UTI; <3 UTI's / year). This is noted by ESSIC as a confusable disease [van de Merwe 2007, contains an elaborate table for this].
2. had a urine tract infection in the previous 6 weeks.
3. received bladder instillations for BPS in the previous 3 months;
4. received intradetrusor Botulinum toxin (BOTOX) injections within the previous 12 months.
5. received transurethral coagulation/ablation therapy of Hunner lesions within the last 12 months, with the exception of patients who have objectified Hunner lesion recurrence(s) on cystoscopy after coagulation/ablation therapy after at least 3 months' post-intervention.
6. started a new treatment for (chronic) pain (pharmacotherapy) or urine tract infection in the last month.
7. Unable (also legal) to give informed consent.
8. Allergic to Hypromellose (tested in one eye)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Placebo - Intervention - Intervention; Treatment period 1: placebo for 1x/week for 6 weeks, followed by two treatment periods of 6 weeks receiving GAG-therapy (Ialuril) 1x/week. Finally this arm continues with unblinded GAG-therapy (Ialuril) instillations 1x/month for 6 instillations.	Device: IALURIL Prefill; GAG therapy (bladder instillations with glycosaminoglycans)
Experimental: Intervention - Placebo - Intervention; Treatment period 1: GAG-therapy (Ialuril) for 1x/week for 6 weeks, followed by treatment period 2: Placebo for 1x/week for 6 weeks and afterwards treatment period 3: GAG-therapy (Ialuril) for 1/x week for 6 weeks. Finally, this arm continues with unblinded GAG-therapy (Ialuril) instillations 1x/month for 6 instillations.	Device: IALURIL Prefill; GAG therapy (bladder instillations with glycosaminoglycans)
Experimental: Intervention - Intervention - Placebo; Treatment period 1: GAG-therapy (Ialuril) for 1x/week for 6 weeks, followed by treatment period 2: GAG-therapy (Ialuril) for 1x/week for 6 weeks and afterwards treatment period 3: placebo for 1/x week for 6 weeks. Finally, this arm continues with unblinded GAG-therapy (Ialuril) instillations 1x/month for 6 instillations.	Device: IALURIL Prefill; GAG therapy (bladder instillations with glycosaminoglycans)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in maximum bladder pain	VAS pain score (0-10; 0= no pain, 10=worst pain)	Fase 1: Week 1,2,5,7,8,12,15,17,18,22,25,27,28,29 Fase 2:week 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 54

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in patient assessed most dominant symptom	VAS score (0-10; 0= no burden, 10=high burden)	Fase 1: Week 1,2,5,7,8,12,15,17,18,22,25,27,28,29 Fase 2:week 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 54
Cost effectiveness	iMCQ and iPCQ questionaires	week 1, 8, 18, 28
O'leary Sant interstitial cystitis symptom index/problem index (ICSI/ICPI)	Validated BPS-IC related symptom questionaire	week 1, 6, 18, 28, 29, 40, 48
Cystoscopic evaluation	Likert scale inflammation (1-5)	week 8 and week 28
Quality of Life questionnaire	Outcome of ED-5D 5L QoL questionnaire	week 1, 6, 18, 28, 29, 40, 48
Change in average bladder pain	VAS pain score (0-10; 0= no pain, 10=worst pain)	Fase 1: Week 1,2,5,7,8,12,15,17,18,22,25,27,28,29 Fase 2:week 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 54
7-point Global Response Assessment (GRA) scale	The GRA is a 7-point descriptive scale, scores of 1-3 indicate worsening of symptoms, and 5-7 indicate and improvement in symptoms	Fase 1: Week 1,2,5,7,8,12,15,17,18,22,25,27,28,29 Fase 2:week 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 54
Voiding urgency	as single item from the validated Genito-Urinary Pain Index questionnaire (5 point Likert scale)	Fase 1: Week 1,2,5,7,8,12,15,17,18,22,25,27,28,29 Fase 2:week 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 54
Voiding frequency	as single item from the validated Genito-Urinary Pain Index questionnaire (5 point Likert scale)	Fase 1: Week 1,2,5,7,8,12,15,17,18,22,25,27,28,29 Fase 2:week 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 54
Patient Reported Outcome Measurement (PROM) short and extended	Improvement (0-100%), continue treatment, reccommend to family, including Adverse Events and start/stop other treatment for BPS/IC	week 1, 8, 18, 28, 29, 40, 48
Voiding diary	2x24h	at baseline
Urine sediment	Screening for bacterial urinary tract infection	week 1, 6, 18, 28, 29, 40, 48

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Radboud University Medical Center
• Collaborators: ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development; IQ Healthcare; Radboud Technology Ceter; Zorginstituut Nederland

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 21, 2021
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 21, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 21, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 21, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 24, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): August 29, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 17, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 17, 2024
• Last Verified: February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: RCT; Bladder Pain Syndrome; GAG therapy; Hunner lesion; N-of-1 trial
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Pathologic Processes; Urologic Diseases; Urinary Bladder Diseases; Disease; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Syndrome; Cystitis; Somatoform Disorders; Cystitis, Interstitial
• Other Study ID Numbers: 110130

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: only anonymous patient data will be shared

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No