Clinical Trial to Evaluate Effectiveness of a Probiotic Preparation Administered to Patients With Alopecia Areata

NCT ID: NCT05599607

Last Updated: 2022-10-31

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 26 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-03-08
• Study Completion Date: 2021-12-30

Brief Summary

This study is part of a broader project that proposes the characterization of what we call the "Entire-Systemic Axis". It aims to study whether the bacteria present in the human skin microbiota and in the human intestinal microbiota can play a role in the pathophysiology of Alopecia Areata (AA), a fact that has not been studied to date. Based on the supposed relationship between the human microbiota and AA, we have formulated the hypothesis that the dietary supplementation of specific probiotic strains, with functional capacities on mucocutaneous tissue and its adnexa, could benefit patients with AA, acting on the patients' microbiome profile.

Detailed Description

This clinical study was designed to be a randomized, double-blind, with parallel-groups, and placebo-controlled with a duration of 24 weeks duration.

The 24 weeks of intervention were structured in 6 face-to-face visits in consultation: visit 1 or initial (week 0), visit 2 (week 4), visit 3 (week 8), visit 4 (week 12), visit 5 (week 16) and visit 6 or end of study (week 24).

Visit 1 or initial (Week 0)

To recruit patients, all those voluntaries who attended the participating centre showing interest in the study with AA diagnosis meeting the criteria indicated in the study protocol were thoroughly informed of the study as well as of the implications of their participation.

Once the informed consent was signed a physician trained for the study conducted the initial interview The researcher proceeded to assign the patient a participant number in the study. According to a previously prepared randomization list, the patient was assigned the treatment received during the study by contacting the randomization centre Likewise, in this initial visit, the clinical history and capillary measurements were made: trichoscopy, plaques counting and photographs. In addition, the patient underwent a blood draw, and a skin sample from the area of plaques as well as sample of faeces was collected.

Finally, following the therapeutic protocol, a local infiltration of corticosteroids was performed and data from the DLQI subjective scale was collected.

The patient was given enough treatment to cover the period until the next scheduled visit according to its assigned code

Intermediate visits 2, 3 and 4 (Weeks 4, 8 and 12 respectively)

In addition to assessing the symptoms of the disease, the infiltration of topical corticosteroids and taking photographs was performed during these visits. The researcher recorded the adverse events reported by the patient (including the start date and in case those adverse events had already been resolved at the time of the visit the end date) as well as the accounting of the remaining product to evaluate treatment compliance in the Case Report Form (CRF).

The patient was given enough treatment to cover the period until the next scheduled visit according to its assigned code.

Intermediate Visit 5 (Week 16)

Besides performing the same procedures as in previous intermediate visits 2, 3 and 4, in this visit capillary measurements were added.

The patient was given enough treatment to cover the period until the next scheduled visit according to its assigned code

Visit 6 or final (Week 24)

During this final visit, the same procedures as in visit 1 were conducted, including capillary measurements and sample collection.

Possible adverse events were recorded, specifying the start and end dates, and the treatment received, if any. In addition, patient's leftover study product was collected

Conditions

Alopecia Areata

Keywords

Probiotics

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Probiotic group

Probiotic in capsule format administered orally. This probiotic product contains a mixture of strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, called BTHS21, at concentrations equal to or greater than 1x109 cfu/dose.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Probiotic mixture

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Mixture of strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria

Placebo group

Maltodextrin, masked in an identical and indistinguishable format to that of the probiotic

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Maltodextrin

Interventions

Probiotic mixture

Mixture of strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

Maltodextrin

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• AA diagnosis by clinical criteria.
• Show at least 2 signs of AA activity, visualized by trichoscopy
• Signature of informed consent by the patient, in accordance with the legislation on clinical trials.

Exclusion Criteria

• Allergies or contraindication to take any of the components of the product under study.
• Topical or systemic use of antifungals and antibiotics in the previous 2 weeks.
• Consumption of probiotics in the previous 2 months. - Participation in clinical studies in the previous 2 months.
• Pregnancy and/or lactation.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Bionou Research, S.L.

NETWORK

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Bioithas SL

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Centro Dermatológico Estético

Alicante, , Spain

Countries

Spain

Other Identifiers

ALO.PRO

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id