Trial Outcomes & Findings for Effect of Perimenstrual Ovarian Steroid Supplementation on Perimenstrual Suicidality (NCT NCT03720847)

NCT ID: NCT03720847

Last Updated: 2019-02-04

Results Overview

The SITBI is an interview designed to assess various aspects of suicidality, including ideation, planning, intent, and behavior. This outcome is a single item representing suicidal ideation severity from the SITBI interview which was measured as part of a daily questionnaire completed via smart phone. The question was: "Today, how intense were your thoughts of killing yourself?". Each day, individuals chose a response ranging from 0 (Not at All) to 4 (Severe). Values could range from 0 to 4, and higher values indicate more suicidal ideation. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the mean of scores in the perimenstrual phase (final seven days of medication use in that condition) minus the mean in the midluteal phase (7 days starting on the day of the positive ovulation test for that condition). Therefore, positive values represent a perimenstrual increase in symptoms, and negative values represent a perimenstrual decrease in symptoms.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE4

Target enrollment

30 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Midluteal Baseline and Perimenstrual

Results posted on

2019-02-04

Participant Flow

Recruitment occurred between November 15, 2016 and August 12, 2017. All participants were recruited via social media advertisements to participate in "a study on the biology of stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts". All participants were enrolled at the single site for the study: UNC Chapel Hill Psychiatry Department laboratories.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Active Condition, Then Inactive Condition
Beginning 7 days after ovulation, active treatment begins 7 days after ovulation with an estradiol transdermal patch (0.1 mg/24 hrs) applied to the skin weekly (spanning 14 days of treatment) along with (active) 100 mg oral micronized progesterone capsules taken twice daily by mouth for 14 days. A 1-month washout is observed. Then, beginning 7 days after ovulation, inactive placebo capsules will be taken twice daily by mouth along with the application of inactive clear patches applied to the skin weekly for 14 days.
Inactive Condition, Then Active Condition
Beginning 7 days after ovulation, inactive placebo capsules will be taken twice daily by mouth along with the application of inactive clear patches applied to the skin weekly for 14 days. After completing a 1-month washout, active treatment begins 7 days after ovulation with an (active) estradiol transdermal patch applied to the skin weekly (spanning 14 days of treatment) along with (active) 100 mg oral micronized progesterone capsules taken twice daily by mouth for 14 days.
Condition 1
STARTED
15
15
Condition 1
COMPLETED
15
15
Condition 1
NOT COMPLETED
0
0
Washout
STARTED
15
15
Washout
COMPLETED
14
13
Washout
NOT COMPLETED
1
2
Condition 2
STARTED
14
13
Condition 2
COMPLETED
14
13
Condition 2
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Active Condition, Then Inactive Condition
Beginning 7 days after ovulation, active treatment begins 7 days after ovulation with an estradiol transdermal patch (0.1 mg/24 hrs) applied to the skin weekly (spanning 14 days of treatment) along with (active) 100 mg oral micronized progesterone capsules taken twice daily by mouth for 14 days. A 1-month washout is observed. Then, beginning 7 days after ovulation, inactive placebo capsules will be taken twice daily by mouth along with the application of inactive clear patches applied to the skin weekly for 14 days.
Inactive Condition, Then Active Condition
Beginning 7 days after ovulation, inactive placebo capsules will be taken twice daily by mouth along with the application of inactive clear patches applied to the skin weekly for 14 days. After completing a 1-month washout, active treatment begins 7 days after ovulation with an (active) estradiol transdermal patch applied to the skin weekly (spanning 14 days of treatment) along with (active) 100 mg oral micronized progesterone capsules taken twice daily by mouth for 14 days.
Washout
Physician Decision
1
2

Baseline Characteristics

Effect of Perimenstrual Ovarian Steroid Supplementation on Perimenstrual Suicidality

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Overall Study
n=30 Participants
All participants.
Age, Continuous
28.56 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.09 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
30 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
29 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
27 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
30 Participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Midluteal Baseline and Perimenstrual

Population: All participants who were exposed to either condition.

The SITBI is an interview designed to assess various aspects of suicidality, including ideation, planning, intent, and behavior. This outcome is a single item representing suicidal ideation severity from the SITBI interview which was measured as part of a daily questionnaire completed via smart phone. The question was: "Today, how intense were your thoughts of killing yourself?". Each day, individuals chose a response ranging from 0 (Not at All) to 4 (Severe). Values could range from 0 to 4, and higher values indicate more suicidal ideation. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the mean of scores in the perimenstrual phase (final seven days of medication use in that condition) minus the mean in the midluteal phase (7 days starting on the day of the positive ovulation test for that condition). Therefore, positive values represent a perimenstrual increase in symptoms, and negative values represent a perimenstrual decrease in symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=28 Participants
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=29 Participants
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
Perimenstrual Change in Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview (SITBI) Suicidal Ideation Score
-.05 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .44
.35 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .18

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Midluteal Baseline and Perimenstrual

Population: All participants who were exposed to either condition.

The SITBI is an interview designed to assess various aspects of suicidality. This outcome is a single item representing suicidal planning from the SITBI interview was measured as part of a daily questionnaire via smart phone. The question was: "Today, how seriously did you consider acting on a suicide plan?". Each day, individuals chose a response from 0 (Not at All) to 4 (Severe). Values could range from 0 to 4, and higher values indicate more suicidal planning. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the mean of scores in the perimenstrual phase (final seven days of medication use in that condition) minus the mean in the midluteal phase (7 days starting on the day of the positive ovulation test for that condition). Therefore, positive values represent a perimenstrual increase in symptoms, and negative values represent a perimenstrual decrease.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=28 Participants
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=29 Participants
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
Perimenstrual Change in Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview (SITBI) Suicidal Planning Score
-.06 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .26
.17 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .22

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Day 7 of Each Condition (Lab 2)

Population: All participants who were exposed to either condition.

Hopelessness is assessed with the Beck Hopelessness Scale, a 20-item self-report measure with true-false items that assess hopelessness and the extent of positive and negative beliefs about the future. This measure will be collected at the second lab visit in each condition (day 7 following ovulation). Summed scores range from 0 to 20. Scores provide a measure of the severity of self-reported hopelessness: 0-3 minimal, 4-8 mild, 9-14 moderate, and 15-20 severe. Higher values on the raw scale represent greater hopelessness. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the person's score at lab 2 (in the perimenstrual phase) minus the person's score at lab 1 (midluteal phase). Therefore, positive values represent degree of perimenstrual increase in symptoms, and negative values represent degree of perimenstrual decrease.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=29 Participants
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=28 Participants
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
Perimenstrual Change in Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) Score
-.017 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.42
1.37 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.72

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Day 7 of Each Condition (Lab 2)

Population: All participants who were exposed to either condition.

The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) includes 20 items that ask the person assessed to report his or her experience of mood symptoms. Instructions were modified such that symptoms were rated over the past week (rather than the standard 2 weeks). This measure will be collected at the second lab visit in each condition (day 7 following ovulation). Scores can range from zero to 60, with most persons attaining a score of 15 or less. Higher scores are considered worse. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the person's score at lab 2 (in the perimenstrual phase) minus the person's score at lab 1 (midluteal phase). Therefore, positive values represent degree of perimenstrual increase in symptoms, and negative values represent degree of perimenstrual decrease.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=28 Participants
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=29 Participants
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
Perimenstrual Change in Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Score
-1.53 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.62
2.69 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.89

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Day 7 of Each Condition (Lab 2)

Population: All participants who were exposed to either condition.

The UPPS-P (Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency Impulsivity Scale) Lack of Premeditation subscale includes 11 items that ask the person to report experience of impulsivity over the past two weeks. Instructions were modified such that symptoms were rated over the past week (rather than the standard 2 weeks). This measure will be collected at the second lab visit in each condition (day 7 following ovulation). Scores can range from 11 to 44. Higher scores are considered worse. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the person's score at lab 2 (in the perimenstrual phase) minus the person's score at lab 1 (midluteal phase). Therefore, positive values represent degree of perimenstrual increase in symptoms, and negative values represent degree of perimenstrual decrease.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=29 Participants
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=28 Participants
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
Perimenstrual Change in Lack of Premeditation Subscale Score of the "Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency (UPPSP) Impulsivity Scale"
-.75 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.75
.27 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.43

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Day 7 of Each Condition (Lab 2)

The PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems) Anxiety scale includes 7 items that ask the person assessed to report his or her experience of anxiety over the past two weeks. Instructions were modified such that symptoms were rated over the past week (rather than the standard 2 weeks). This measure will be collected at the second lab visit in each condition (day 7 following ovulation). Scores can range from 7 to 35. Higher scores are considered worse. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the person's score at lab 2 (in the perimenstrual phase) minus the person's score at lab 1 (midluteal phase). Therefore, positive values represent degree of perimenstrual increase in symptoms, and negative values represent degree of perimenstrual decrease.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=28 Participants
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=29 Participants
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
Perimenstrual Changes in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Anxiety Scale Score
1.39 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.80
.17 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.37

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Day 7 of Each Condition (Lab 2)

Population: All participants who were exposed to either condition.

The SSES-SE (State Self-Esteem Scale Social Evaluation subscale) includes 7 items that ask the person assessed to report his or her experience of social self-esteem--that is, a sense that others are evaluating one in a positive light-- in the present moment. Instructions were modified such that symptoms were rated over the past week (rather than the standard 2 weeks). This measure will be collected at the second lab visit in each condition (day 7 following ovulation). Scores can range from 7 to 49. Higher scores are considered better as they indicate better social self-esteem. Perimenstrual change scores are calculated for each person in a given condition as the person's score at lab 2 (in the perimenstrual phase) minus the person's score at lab 1 (midluteal phase). Therefore, positive values represent degree of perimenstrual increase in self-esteem, and negative values represent degree of perimenstrual decrease.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=29 Participants
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=28 Participants
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
Perimenstrual Change in State Self-Esteem Scale Social Evaluation Subscale (SSES-SE) Score
1.65 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.26
-.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.78

Adverse Events

Active Estradiol + Progesterone

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 15 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebos

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 18 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Active Estradiol + Progesterone
n=28 participants at risk
.1mg/day of transdermal estradiol + 100mg oral micronized progesterone twice daily (200mg/day).
Placebos
n=29 participants at risk
placebo patch + placebo pills twice daily.
General disorders
Skin Itching
28.6%
8/28 • Number of events 8 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.
24.1%
7/29 • Number of events 7 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.
General disorders
Breast Tenderness
28.6%
8/28 • Number of events 8 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.
27.6%
8/29 • Number of events 8 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.
General disorders
Headache
17.9%
5/28 • Number of events 5 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.
31.0%
9/29 • Number of events 9 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.
General disorders
Nausea
7.1%
2/28 • Number of events 2 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.
3.4%
1/29 • Number of events 1 • The two weeks of patch/pill administration that occurred during each of the two conditions.
Assessed during daily study phone calls. Under "Participant Flow", Arm/Group is represented by two condition order categories (i.e., "Active Condition, then Inactive Condition" vs. "Inactive Condition, then Active Condition"); this allows one to understand effects of condition order on participant flow. Here, Arm/Group is represented as exposure to active vs. placebo conditions, since that is the relevant grouping to understand how placebo vs. active medication influenced risk of adverse events.

Additional Information

Tory Eisenlohr-Moul

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Phone: 859-317-0503

Results disclosure agreements

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