Trial Outcomes & Findings for Individualizing Anti-Inflammatory Medications for Adults With Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Series of N-of 1 Trials (NCT NCT04115098)

NCT ID: NCT04115098

Last Updated: 2025-08-13

Results Overview

The ASDAS total score ranges from 0-10, with a higher score meaning worse disease activity. The change in score is reported as \[(ASDAS score at baseline) - (ASDAS score at 4 weeks)\]--a positive value indicates that the score (and disease activity) decreased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

42 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline, 4 weeks

Results posted on

2025-08-13

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Celecoxib, Then Meloxicam, Then Naproxen, Then A, Then B
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Celecoxib, Then Meloxicam, Then Naproxen, Then B, Then A
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Celecoxib, Then Naproxen, Then Meloxicam, Then A, Then B
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Celecoxib, Then Naproxen, Then Meloxicam, Then B, Then A
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Meloxicam, Then Celecoxib, Then Naproxen, Then A, Then B
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Meloxicam, Then Celecoxib, Then Naproxen, Then B, Then A
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Meloxicam, Then Naproxen, Then Celecoxib, Then A, Then B
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Meloxicam, Then Naproxen, Then Celecoxib, Then B, Then A
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Naproxen, Then Celecoxib, Then Meloxicam, Then A, Then B
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Naproxen, Then Celecoxib, Then Meloxicam, Then B, Then A
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Naproxen, Then Meloxicam, Then Celecoxib, Then A, Then B
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Naproxen, Then Meloxicam, Then Celecoxib, Then B, Then A
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Overall Study
STARTED
5
2
3
4
5
2
0
7
4
3
4
3
Overall Study
4-week Treatment Session 1
5
2
3
4
5
2
0
7
4
3
4
3
Overall Study
4-week Treatment Session 2
4
2
3
4
4
2
0
6
3
3
4
3
Overall Study
4-week Treatment Session 3
3
2
3
4
4
1
0
6
3
2
4
2
Overall Study
4-week Treatment Session 4
3
2
3
4
3
1
0
6
2
2
4
2
Overall Study
4-week Treatment Session 5
2
2
3
4
3
1
0
6
2
1
4
2
Overall Study
COMPLETED
2
2
3
4
3
1
0
6
2
1
4
2
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
3
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
2
2
0
1

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
All Participants
n=30 Participants
Each participant will be randomized to a different initial drug sequence (6 possibilities: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CBA, CAB) of the following three drugs: Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID), Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets BID and Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID. After these 3 initial treatment sessions, participants are then randomized to the 2 best-performing drugs for 2 additional treatment sessions \[randomized to either alphabetical order (A then B) or reverse alphabetical order (B then A)\] There will be no washout periods. All 3 medications will be over-encapsulated in identical opaque capsules.
Age, Continuous
40.40 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13 • n=30 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
30 Participants
n=30 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

The ASDAS total score ranges from 0-10, with a higher score meaning worse disease activity. The change in score is reported as \[(ASDAS score at baseline) - (ASDAS score at 4 weeks)\]--a positive value indicates that the score (and disease activity) decreased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Disease Activity as Measured by the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)
0.61 score on a scale
Interval 0.35 to 0.87
0.54 score on a scale
Interval 0.28 to 0.81
0.58 score on a scale
Interval 0.32 to 0.84

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

The Standard Gamble Utility assessment is scored between 0-1, with 0 being the worst outcome and 1 being the best outcome. The change in score is reported as \[(Standard Gamble score at baseline) - (Standard Gamble score at 4 weeks)\]--a negative value indicates that the Health Related Quality of Life increased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Health Related Quality of Life as Assessed by the Standard Gamble Utility Assessment
-0.07 score on a scale
Interval -0.18 to 0.04
-0.04 score on a scale
Interval -0.16 to 0.07
-0.05 score on a scale
Interval -0.16 to 0.06

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

The reported Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Preference (PROPr) Score ranges from 0 to 1, with 0 being the worst outcome and 1 being the best outcome. The change in score is reported as \[(PROPr score at baseline) - (PROPR score at 4 weeks)\] - a negative value indicates that the person's Health Related Quality of Life increased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life as Assessed by the PROMIS-Preference (PROPr) Score
-0.10 score on a scale
Interval -0.14 to -0.05
-0.11 score on a scale
Interval -0.16 to -0.06
-0.11 score on a scale
Interval -0.16 to -0.06

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

BASFI score ranges from 0-10, with 0 being easy and 10 being impossible. The change in score is reported as \[(BASFI score at baseline) - (BASFI score at 4 weeks)\], and a positive value indicates that the score (and difficulty with tasks) decreased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Ability to Perform Tasks as Assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI)
0.55 score on a scale
Interval 0.11 to 1.0
0.53 score on a scale
Interval 0.08 to 0.99
0.37 score on a scale
Interval -0.07 to 0.83

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

The BASDAI consists of a 0 - 10 scale measuring discomfort, pain, and fatigue (0 being no problem and 10 being the worst problem). The change in score is reported as \[(BASDAI score at baseline) - (BASDAI score at 4 weeks)\] -- a positive value indicates that the score (and disease activity) decreased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)
1.07 score on a scale
Interval 0.49 to 1.63
1.19 score on a scale
Interval 0.62 to 1.76
1.17 score on a scale
Interval 0.59 to 1.74

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

BASMI total score ranges from 0 - 10.The higher the BASMI score, the more severe the patient's limitation of movement due to their ankylosing spondylitis. The change in score is reported as \[(BASMI score at baseline) - (BASMI score at 4 weeks)\]--a positive value indicates that the score (and limitation of movement) decreased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI)
0.15 score on a scale
Interval -0.07 to 0.37
0.03 score on a scale
Interval -0.19 to 0.26
0.11 score on a scale
Interval -0.11 to 0.33

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

The VAS-Pain total score is 0 - 100, with 0 being no pain and 100 being unbearable pain. The change in score is reported as \[(VAS- Pain score at baseline) - (VAS- Pain score at 4 weeks)\] --a positive value indicates that the score (and pain level) decreased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Pain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale-Pain (VAS-Pain)
11.28 score on a scale
Interval 5.32 to 17.22
11.26 score on a scale
Interval 5.26 to 17.18
11.32 score on a scale
Interval 5.42 to 17.12

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks

The VAS-Global is scored from 0-100, with 0 being not active and 100 being very active. The change in score is reported as \[(VAS- Global score at baseline) - (VAS- Global score at 4 weeks)\] --a negative value indicates that the score (and activity level) increased over time. The "Measure of Dispersion/Precision" indicated as "95% Confidence Interval" actually refers to a "95% Credible Interval."

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 Participants
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules BID
Meloxicam
n=30 Participants
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets
Naproxen
n=30 Participants
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Change in Visual Analog Scale-Global (VAS-Global)
14.29 score on a scale
Interval 7.94 to 20.35
14.33 score on a scale
Interval 7.97 to 20.38
14.39 score on a scale
Interval 8.13 to 20.36

Adverse Events

Celecoxib

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

Meloxicam

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 4 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Naproxen

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 5 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 participants at risk
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules twice daily (BID)
Meloxicam
n=30 participants at risk
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Naproxen
n=30 participants at risk
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Celecoxib
n=30 participants at risk
Celecoxib 200 mg capsules twice daily (BID)
Meloxicam
n=30 participants at risk
Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Naproxen
n=30 participants at risk
Naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (BID)
Eye disorders
Uveitis
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastritis
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
6.7%
2/30 • Number of events 2 • 29 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Hemorrhoids
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Stomach Pain
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Bone pain
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash maculo-papular
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Urticaria
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
0.00%
0/30 • 29 weeks
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 11 • 29 weeks

Additional Information

Mark C. Hwang, MD

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Phone: (713) 500-6597

Results disclosure agreements

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