Trial Outcomes & Findings for Milnacipran for Treatment of Pain in Older Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis (NCT NCT01225991)

NCT ID: NCT01225991

Last Updated: 2018-03-29

Results Overview

The Pain Rating Index ranked values associated with adjectives depicting the severity of pain from the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). The assessment is comprised of 15 adjectives, each of which is scored on a scale ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (severe) and summed to arrive at a score ranging from 0 (no pain) to 45 (worst possible pain), to measure the extent of pain/tenderness and swelling. The Pain Rating Index final scores were averaged to indicate an overall report of joint pain and stiffness.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE4

Target enrollment

18 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Change score at baseline and 12 weeks

Results posted on

2018-03-29

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Patients will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day, or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week. The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment. Milnacipran: All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Patients will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day
Overall Study
STARTED
18
Overall Study
COMPLETED
12
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
6

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Patients will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day, or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week. The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment. Milnacipran: All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Patients will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
6

Baseline Characteristics

Milnacipran for Treatment of Pain in Older Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
n=12 Participants
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Subjects will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day (25 mg twice daily); After Day 7: 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily). The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment.
Age, Continuous
67.5 years
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
12 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change score at baseline and 12 weeks

The Pain Rating Index ranked values associated with adjectives depicting the severity of pain from the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). The assessment is comprised of 15 adjectives, each of which is scored on a scale ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (severe) and summed to arrive at a score ranging from 0 (no pain) to 45 (worst possible pain), to measure the extent of pain/tenderness and swelling. The Pain Rating Index final scores were averaged to indicate an overall report of joint pain and stiffness.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
n=12 Participants
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Subjects will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day (25 mg twice daily); After Day 7: 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily). The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment.
Pain Rating Index
-3.7 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change scores from Week 1 to Week 12 of energy and fatigue

The Visual Analogue Scale to Evaluate Fatigue (VAS-F) is an assessment of fatigue severity. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measures a characteristic or attitude that ranges across a continuum of values from none (0) to an extreme amount of fatigue and energy (10). Scores fall between 0 and 10 anchored by word descriptors at each end and the patient marks on the line the point that they feel represents their perception of their current state. The scale consists of 18 items relating to the subjective experience of fatigue. Two subscales are summed separately and reported as follows: Items 1-5 and 11-18 represent fatigue from none (0) to extreme fatigue (10) and items 6-10 represent energy from none (0) to extreme energy (10). The outcome measures the change scores of energy and fatigue from Week 1 to Week 12. The VAS subscales for Fatigue Scale range: 0-130 and Energy Scale range: 0-50 with higher scores indicating greater energy and fatigue.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
n=12 Participants
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Subjects will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day (25 mg twice daily); After Day 7: 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily). The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment.
Visual Analogue Scale to Evaluate Fatigue (VAS-F)
Fatigue Subscale
15.2 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 18.9
Visual Analogue Scale to Evaluate Fatigue (VAS-F)
Energy Subscale
3.7 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 16.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Weeks 1-4, 6, 8, 10, 12

The UKU assessment will rate the number of participants with emerging adverse events.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
n=12 Participants
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Subjects will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day (25 mg twice daily); After Day 7: 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily). The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment.
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Micturition Disturbances
2 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Increased Tendency to Sweating
3 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Ejaculatory Dysfunction
1 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Tension Headache
2 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Concentration difficulties
1 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Asthenia / Lassitude / Increased Fatiguability
6 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Sleepiness / Sedation
2 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Failing Memory
1 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Depression
2 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Reduced Duration of Sleep
1 Participants
(UKU) Side Effects Rating Scale Profile
Nausea / Vomiting
3 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 1 and 12

Depressive symptoms: Repeated assessment of depressive symptoms severity will be made using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). The scale consisted of 65 adjectives rated on 5-point scale 0= not at all; 1=a little; 2=moderately; 3=quite a bit; 4=extremely. Five subscales were included in analysis: tension-anxiety (9 items, score range: 0-36), depression (15 items, range 0-60), friendliness (12 items, range 0-48), vigor-activity (8 items, range 0-32), and fatigue (7 items, range 0-28). Higher vigor-activity and friendliness scores reflect a good mood or emotion (high scores indicating better outcomes), and low scores in the other subscales (tension, depression, and fatigue) reflect a good mood or emotion (low scores indicating better outcomes).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
n=12 Participants
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Subjects will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day (25 mg twice daily); After Day 7: 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily). The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment.
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Anxiety Week 1
5.75 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.12
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Depression Week 1
4.08 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.60
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Vigor Week 1
13.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.03
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Fatigue Week 1
6.67 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.27
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Friendliness Week 1
6.42 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.82
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Anxiety Week 12
5.50 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.56
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Depression Week 12
3.92 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.64
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Vigor Week 12
16.83 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.92
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Fatigue Week 12
6.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.86
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
POMS Friendliness Week 12
9.42 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.99

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change Scores from Week 1 to Week 12

Resilience: the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC) quantifies stress coping ability. The CD-RISC is a 25-item self-administered scale, although where necessary, a staff professional could read out each question to the subject and record the answer. The subject is directed to respond to each question with reference to the previous month, understanding that if a particular situation has not arisen in this time, then the response should be determined by how the person thinks they would have reacted. Scoring of the full 25 item scale is based on summing the total of each item, which is scored from 0-4. The full range is therefore from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting greater resilience. The outcome measure is a change score from Week 1 to Week 12.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
n=12 Participants
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Subjects will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day (25 mg twice daily); After Day 7: 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily). The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment.
Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)
-2.2 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.0

Adverse Events

Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 6 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Milnacipran, Active Drug, Open-label
n=18 participants at risk
All subjects will be free of antidepressant medications or opiates, or any other medications used to treat pain for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of dose titration. Subjects will be allowed to escalate up to 100 mg a day or to their maximum tolerated dose in the course of the first week: Day 1: 12.5 mg once a day; Days 2-3: 25 mg/day (12.5 mg twice daily); Days 4-7: 50 mg/day (25 mg twice daily); After Day 7: 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily). The stable-dose phase will be a 10-week period during which patients will take medications at the final dose achieved (either 100 mg per day in divided doses, or the maximum tolerated dose of less than 100 mg per day). Final efficacy assessments will be made at the termination visit, and the study medication will be tapered down following 12 weeks of drug treatment.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
16.7%
3/18
Psychiatric disorders
Concentration Difficulties
5.6%
1/18
Psychiatric disorders
Asthenia
33.3%
6/18
Psychiatric disorders
Sleepiness / Sedation
11.1%
2/18
Psychiatric disorders
Failing Memory
5.6%
1/18
Psychiatric disorders
Depression
11.1%
2/18
Psychiatric disorders
Reduced Duration of Sleep
5.6%
1/18
Renal and urinary disorders
Micturition Disturbances
11.1%
2/18
Nervous system disorders
Increased Tendency to Sweat
16.7%
3/18
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Ejaculatory Dysfunction
5.6%
1/18
General disorders
Tension Headache
11.1%
2/18

Additional Information

Dr. Helen Lavretsky,

University of California, Los Angeles

Phone: 310-794-4619

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place