Trial Outcomes & Findings for Oral Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Acute Migraine Recurrence in the Pediatric Emergency Department (NCT NCT02794441)

NCT ID: NCT02794441

Last Updated: 2019-12-03

Results Overview

The primary outcome will be headache recurrence 48 hours after discharge from the ED. Headache recurrence will be defined as: for patients who were pain-free at ED discharge (ie. pain intensity of 0), any return of head pain (ie. pain intensity of 1 or greater) will be coded as a recurrence, and for patients who had persistent head pain at discharge, an increase in head pain since ED discharge will be coded as recurrence as well (ie. an increase in their score on the 4-point scale as compared to their score at ED discharge).

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE3

Target enrollment

12 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

48 hours

Results posted on

2019-12-03

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited between December 2016 and June 2017 from the ED at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, a tertiary care academic pediatric hospital located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Overall Study
STARTED
7
5
Overall Study
COMPLETED
6
5
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
1
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Total
n=11 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
12.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.4 • n=6 Participants
13.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.9 • n=5 Participants
13.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.6 • n=11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
5 Participants
n=6 Participants
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants
n=6 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=11 Participants
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
0 Participants
Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.
Region of Enrollment
Canada
6 participants
n=6 Participants
5 participants
n=5 Participants
11 participants
n=11 Participants
CTAS Score
Resuscitation
0 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
CTAS Score
Emergent
0 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
CTAS Score
Urgent
6 Participants
n=6 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=11 Participants
CTAS Score
Semi-Urgent
0 Participants
n=6 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=11 Participants
CTAS Score
Non-Urgent
0 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
Baseline Pain Intensity
None
0 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
Baseline Pain Intensity
Mild
0 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
Baseline Pain Intensity
Moderate
2 Participants
n=6 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=11 Participants
Baseline Pain Intensity
Severe
4 Participants
n=6 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
8 Participants
n=11 Participants
Use of Treatment at Home
Yes
4 Participants
n=6 Participants
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=11 Participants
Use of Treatment at Home
No
2 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=11 Participants
Migraine Type
Migraine with aura
4 Participants
n=6 Participants
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=11 Participants
Migraine Type
Migraine without aura
3 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=11 Participants
Headache Frequency (Monthly Frequency in Past 3 Months)
12.6 Headaches
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.9 • n=6 Participants
7.2 Headaches
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.8 • n=5 Participants
10.3 Headaches
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.6 • n=11 Participants
How Long Participant Has Had Migraines
5.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.9 • n=6 Participants
2.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.6 • n=5 Participants
3.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.8 • n=11 Participants
PedMIDAS Score
58.7 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 108.5 • n=6 Participants
16.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.8 • n=5 Participants
41 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 83.8 • n=11 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 48 hours

The primary outcome will be headache recurrence 48 hours after discharge from the ED. Headache recurrence will be defined as: for patients who were pain-free at ED discharge (ie. pain intensity of 0), any return of head pain (ie. pain intensity of 1 or greater) will be coded as a recurrence, and for patients who had persistent head pain at discharge, an increase in head pain since ED discharge will be coded as recurrence as well (ie. an increase in their score on the 4-point scale as compared to their score at ED discharge).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Headache Recurrence at 48 Hours
1 Participants
1 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 2 hours post-intervention (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours) and at the time of discharge from the Emergency Department (ED) if post-treatment ED duration extends beyond 2 hours (expected median duration = 3 hours)

Pain intensity will be measured on a 4 point rating scale as recommended by the International Headache Society guidelines: a) 0=none, b) 1=mild, c) 2= moderate, d) 4=severe. It will be assessed at 2 hours post-baseline, or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours and at the time of ED discharge where this exceeds 2 hours post-intervention. Because all participants were discharged prior to 2 hours, we report the pain intensity at the time of ED discharge.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Pain Intensity
None
2 Participants
1 Participants
Pain Intensity
Mild
2 Participants
2 Participants
Pain Intensity
Moderate
2 Participants
2 Participants
Pain Intensity
Severe
0 Participants
0 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 hours post-intervention (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours) and 48 hours

Persistent pain freedom, defined as the proportion of patients in each group who achieved pain freedom at 2 hours (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours) and were free of pain without the use of rescue medication at 48 hours, will be assessed

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Persistent Pain Freedom
1 Participants
1 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At the time of discharge from the ED (expected median duration in the ED post-treatment = 3 hours), at 48 hours and at 7 day follow-up

Patient satisfaction will be assessed at the time of discharge from the ED and again at follow-up with the following 5-point Likert scale: 5=very satisfied, 4=satisfied, 3=neutral, 2=unsatisfied, 1=very unsatisfied. Here we report patient satisfaction rates at discharge.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Patient Satisfaction
At discharge · Satisfied
6 Participants
4 Participants
Patient Satisfaction
At discharge · Dissatisfied
0 Participants
1 Participants
Patient Satisfaction
At 48 hour follow-up · Satisfied
6 Participants
4 Participants
Patient Satisfaction
At 48 hour follow-up · Dissatisfied
0 Participants
1 Participants
Patient Satisfaction
At 7 day follow-up · Satisfied
6 Participants
3 Participants
Patient Satisfaction
At 7 day follow-up · Dissatisfied
0 Participants
2 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 7 days

The proportion of patients in each group with recurrence within the 7 days following ED discharge will be assessed.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Headache Recurrence at 7 Day Follow-up
0 Participants
0 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 7 days

The number of patients with return ED visits within 7 days of ED discharge will be assessed through chart review.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Revisits Within 7 Days of Discharge From the ED
1 Participants
0 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 hours post-intervention (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours), at the time of discharge from the Emergency Department (ED) if post-treatment ED duration extends beyond 2 hours (expected median duration = 3 hours), 48 hours and 7 days

Adverse events will be queried at 2 hours (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours), at discharge and in the follow-up questionnaires at 48 hours and 7 days. Reported here are the adverse events at the time of ED discharge. All patients were discharged prior to the 2 hour time point. Adverse events reported at follow-up are reported elsewhere (see below).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Adverse Events at Discharge
Adverse events
0 Participants
0 Participants
Adverse Events at Discharge
No adverse events
6 Participants
5 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 hours post-intervention (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours), at the time of discharge from the Emergency Department (ED) if post-treatment ED duration extends beyond 2 hours (expected median duration = 3 hours), 48 hours and 7 days

Adverse events will be queried at 2 hours (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours), at discharge and in the follow-up questionnaires at 48 hours and 7 days. Reported here are the adverse events at the 48 hour follow-up post-discharge.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Adverse Events at 48 Hours Post-discharge
Worsening headache
1 Participants
1 Participants
Adverse Events at 48 Hours Post-discharge
Fever
0 Participants
1 Participants
Adverse Events at 48 Hours Post-discharge
Constipation
1 Participants
0 Participants
Adverse Events at 48 Hours Post-discharge
No adverse events
4 Participants
3 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 hours post-intervention (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours), at the time of discharge from the Emergency Department (ED) if post-treatment ED duration extends beyond 2 hours (expected median duration = 3 hours), 48 hours and 7 days

Adverse events will be queried at 2 hours (or at the time of ED discharge if prior to 2 hours), at discharge and in the follow-up questionnaires at 48 hours and 7 days. Reported here are the adverse events at the 7 day follow-up post-discharge.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 Participants
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 Participants
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Adverse Events at 7 Days Post-discharge
Paresthesias
0 Participants
1 Participants
Adverse Events at 7 Days Post-discharge
Headache recurrence
0 Participants
1 Participants
Adverse Events at 7 Days Post-discharge
No adverse events
6 Participants
3 Participants

Adverse Events

Dexamethasone

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 2 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 3 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Dexamethasone
n=6 participants at risk
Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone 0.6mg/kg (maximum 15mg) PO x 1 dose
Placebo
n=5 participants at risk
Matched oral solution in same volume per kg as dexamethasone Placebo: Matched oral solution
Nervous system disorders
Worsening headache
16.7%
1/6 • Number of events 1 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.
20.0%
1/5 • Number of events 1 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.
Nervous system disorders
Paresthesias
0.00%
0/6 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.
20.0%
1/5 • Number of events 1 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
16.7%
1/6 • Number of events 1 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.
0.00%
0/5 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.
General disorders
Fever
0.00%
0/6 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.
20.0%
1/5 • Number of events 1 • Adverse event data were collected at discharge and for the first 7 days after discharge
The medication (dexamethasone) has potential to cause immunosuppression.

Additional Information

Dr. Roger Zemek

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute

Phone: 6137377600

Results disclosure agreements

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