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    Clinical Trial Results:
    Efficacy and safety of paracetamol in comparison to ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus treatment in preterm infants. A randomized, open label, comparator-controlled, prospective study.

    Summary
    EudraCT number
    2013-003883-30
    Trial protocol
    IT  
    Global end of trial date
    17 Apr 2019

    Results information
    Results version number
    v1(current)
    This version publication date
    20 Nov 2019
    First version publication date
    20 Nov 2019
    Other versions

    Trial information

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    Trial identification
    Sponsor protocol code
    044CF13273
    Additional study identifiers
    ISRCTN number
    -
    US NCT number
    NCT02422966
    WHO universal trial number (UTN)
    -
    Sponsors
    Sponsor organisation name
    Aziende Chimiche Riunite Angelini Francesco A.C.R.A.F. S.p.A
    Sponsor organisation address
    Piazzale della Stazione s.n.c. S.Palomba-Pomezia (Rome) Italy, Rome, Italy, 00071
    Public contact
    A.C.R.A.F. HQMD Clinical Operations, ACRAF S.p.A, +39 0691945349, paola.lipone@angelinipharma.com
    Scientific contact
    A.C.R.A.F. HQMD Clinical Operations, ACRAF S.p.A, +39 0691945349, paola.lipone@angelinipharma.com
    Paediatric regulatory details
    Is trial part of an agreed paediatric investigation plan (PIP)
    No
    Does article 45 of REGULATION (EC) No 1901/2006 apply to this trial?
    No
    Does article 46 of REGULATION (EC) No 1901/2006 apply to this trial?
    No
    Results analysis stage
    Analysis stage
    Final
    Date of interim/final analysis
    17 Apr 2019
    Is this the analysis of the primary completion data?
    Yes
    Primary completion date
    17 Apr 2019
    Global end of trial reached?
    Yes
    Global end of trial date
    17 Apr 2019
    Was the trial ended prematurely?
    No
    General information about the trial
    Main objective of the trial
    The study objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of paracetamol in comparison to ibuprofen in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.
    Protection of trial subjects
    The study was carried out according to ICH guidelines of Good Clinical Practices (CPMP/ICH/135/95) and Helsinki Declaration (Fortaleza - Brasil 2013)
    Background therapy
    Not applicable
    Evidence for comparator
    Pedea (ibuprofen) 5 mg/ml solution for injection has been selected as treatment comparator because it represents the only drug authorised in the EU since 29 July 2004 for the treatment of a hsPDA in preterm newborn infants less than 34 weeks of gestational age [EU/3/01/020]. Doses of ibuprofen to be administered to the patients are consistent with those reported in the relevant SPC.
    Actual start date of recruitment
    18 Dec 2015
    Long term follow-up planned
    No
    Independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) involvement?
    No
    Population of trial subjects
    Number of subjects enrolled per country
    Country: Number of subjects enrolled
    Italy: 109
    Worldwide total number of subjects
    109
    EEA total number of subjects
    109
    Number of subjects enrolled per age group
    In utero
    0
    Preterm newborn - gestational age < 37 wk
    109
    Newborns (0-27 days)
    0
    Infants and toddlers (28 days-23 months)
    0
    Children (2-11 years)
    0
    Adolescents (12-17 years)
    0
    Adults (18-64 years)
    0
    From 65 to 84 years
    0
    85 years and over
    0

    Subject disposition

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    Recruitment
    Recruitment details
    Recruitment of 110 patients was planned. 110 patients were randomised to allocated intervention (52 in Ibuprofen group and 58 in Paracetamol) from 8 December 2015 to 22 January 2019.One patient was erroneously randomised to Ibuprofen group but did not receive medication.

    Pre-assignment
    Screening details
    One patient was erroneously randomised to Ibuprofen group but did not receive medication.

    Period 1
    Period 1 title
    PERIOD 1 (overall period)
    Is this the baseline period?
    Yes
    Allocation method
    Randomised - controlled
    Blinding used
    Not blinded
    Blinding implementation details
    Not applicable

    Arms
    Are arms mutually exclusive
    Yes

    Arm title
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml
    Arm description
    Ibuprofen intravenous solution administered at an initial dose of 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 h and 5 mg/kg at 48 h.
    Arm type
    Active comparator

    Investigational medicinal product name
    Ibuprofen
    Investigational medicinal product code
    Other name
    Pedea
    Pharmaceutical forms
    Solution for injection
    Routes of administration
    Intravenous use
    Dosage and administration details
    Ibuprofen intravenous solution at an initial dose of 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 h and 5 mg/kg at 48 h.

    Arm title
    PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Arm description
    Paracetamol intravenous solution 15 mg/kg (corresponding to 1.5 ml/kg) per dose every 6 hours for 3 days, for a total amount of 12 doses.
    Arm type
    Experimental

    Investigational medicinal product name
    Paracetamol
    Investigational medicinal product code
    044
    Other name
    Tachipirina i.v.
    Pharmaceutical forms
    Solution for injection/infusion
    Routes of administration
    Intravenous use
    Dosage and administration details
    Paracetamol intravenous solution 15 mg/kg (corresponding to 1.5 ml/kg) per dose every 6 hours for 3 days, for a total amount of 12 doses.

    Number of subjects in period 1
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Started
    51
    58
    Completed
    37
    29
    Not completed
    14
    29
         Adverse event, serious fatal
    1
    3
         DA reopening during follow up period
    -
    8
         Adverse event, non-fatal
    -
    1
         DA reopening during follow up
    5
    -
         Worsening from not hsPDA to hsPDA
    3
    6
         Other reasons
    3
    3
         Any condition listed in the exclusion criteria
    2
    5
         Protocol deviation
    -
    3

    Baseline characteristics

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    Baseline characteristics reporting groups
    Reporting group title
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml
    Reporting group description
    Ibuprofen intravenous solution administered at an initial dose of 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 h and 5 mg/kg at 48 h.

    Reporting group title
    PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Reporting group description
    Paracetamol intravenous solution 15 mg/kg (corresponding to 1.5 ml/kg) per dose every 6 hours for 3 days, for a total amount of 12 doses.

    Reporting group values
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml Total
    Number of subjects
    51 58 109
    Age categorical
    Units: Subjects
        Gestational age <37 weeks
    51 58 109
    Age continuous
    Units: weeks
        arithmetic mean (standard deviation)
    28.31 ± 2.02 28.18 ± 1.47 -
    Gender categorical
    Units: Subjects
        Female
    28 34 62
        Male
    23 24 47
    Subject analysis sets

    Subject analysis set title
    Safety population
    Subject analysis set type
    Safety analysis
    Subject analysis set description
    Safety population (SP) was defined as all randomised patients who took at least one dose of the study medication.

    Subject analysis set title
    Modified Intention to Treat (m-ITT) population
    Subject analysis set type
    Modified intention-to-treat
    Subject analysis set description
    The modified Intention-to-Treat (m-ITT) population: all randomized patients completing the first treatment course, and having the baseline and the day 3 echocardiographic assessments. The Per Protocol (PP) population was defined as patients from the mITT population with no major protocol violations. Since no major protocol violations were detected the m-ITT and the PP population were the same.

    Subject analysis sets values
    Safety population Modified Intention to Treat (m-ITT) population
    Number of subjects
    109
    101
    Age categorical
    Units: Subjects
        Gestational age <37 weeks
    109
    101
    Age continuous
    Units: weeks
        arithmetic mean (standard deviation)
    28.4 ± 1.74
    28.26 ± 1.73
    Gender categorical
    Units: Subjects
        Female
    62
    59
        Male
    47
    42

    End points

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    End points reporting groups
    Reporting group title
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml
    Reporting group description
    Ibuprofen intravenous solution administered at an initial dose of 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 h and 5 mg/kg at 48 h.

    Reporting group title
    PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Reporting group description
    Paracetamol intravenous solution 15 mg/kg (corresponding to 1.5 ml/kg) per dose every 6 hours for 3 days, for a total amount of 12 doses.

    Subject analysis set title
    Safety population
    Subject analysis set type
    Safety analysis
    Subject analysis set description
    Safety population (SP) was defined as all randomised patients who took at least one dose of the study medication.

    Subject analysis set title
    Modified Intention to Treat (m-ITT) population
    Subject analysis set type
    Modified intention-to-treat
    Subject analysis set description
    The modified Intention-to-Treat (m-ITT) population: all randomized patients completing the first treatment course, and having the baseline and the day 3 echocardiographic assessments. The Per Protocol (PP) population was defined as patients from the mITT population with no major protocol violations. Since no major protocol violations were detected the m-ITT and the PP population were the same.

    Primary: Rate closure of PDA

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    End point title
    Rate closure of PDA
    End point description
    The primary endpoint of the study was the evaluation of the success rate in closing PDA using paracetamol in comparison to ibuprofen after the first 3 days of treatment. Success was defined as the closing PDA after 3 days of treatment with paracetamol or ibuprofen assessed echocardiographically at Visit 3.
    End point type
    Primary
    End point timeframe
    Day 3
    End point values
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Number of subjects analysed
    49
    51
    Units: event
        DA Closure-Yes
    38
    27
        DA Closure-No
    11
    25
    Statistical analysis title
    Group comparison
    Statistical analysis description
    Comparisons between groups was performed by χ2 test. Tests were performed at an alpha level of 5% two-sided
    Comparison groups
    PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml v IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml
    Number of subjects included in analysis
    100
    Analysis specification
    Pre-specified
    Analysis type
    superiority
    P-value
    ≤ 0.05
    Method
    Chi-squared
    Parameter type
    success percent
    Confidence interval

    Secondary: Rate in closing PDA after the second treatment course of ibuprofen as rescue medication;

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    End point title
    Rate in closing PDA after the second treatment course of ibuprofen as rescue medication;
    End point description
    Success rate in closing PDA after the second treatment course of ibuprofen as rescue medication.
    End point type
    Secondary
    End point timeframe
    Day 6
    End point values
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Number of subjects analysed
    4 [1]
    10 [2]
    Units: event
        DA Closure - Yes
    2
    4
        DA Closure - No
    2
    6
    Notes
    [1] - The group refers to subjects with hsPDA at Visit 3
    [2] - The group refers to subjects with hsPDA at Visit 3
    Statistical analysis title
    Group comparison
    Comparison groups
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml v PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Number of subjects included in analysis
    14
    Analysis specification
    Pre-specified
    Analysis type
    superiority
    P-value
    ≤ 0.05
    Method
    Chi-squared
    Parameter type
    success percent
    Confidence interval

    Secondary: Number of re-openings at 30 days

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    End point title
    Number of re-openings at 30 days
    End point description
    End point type
    Secondary
    End point timeframe
    From Day 0 to Day 30
    End point values
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Number of subjects analysed
    43
    39
    Units: event
        Re-opening - Yes
    8
    14
        Re-opening - No
    35
    25
    Statistical analysis title
    Group comparison
    Statistical analysis description
    Comparisons between groups was performed by χ2 test. Tests were performed at an alpha level of 5% two-sided
    Comparison groups
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml v PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Number of subjects included in analysis
    82
    Analysis specification
    Pre-specified
    Analysis type
    superiority
    P-value
    ≤ 0.05
    Method
    Chi-squared
    Parameter type
    Success percent
    Confidence interval

    Secondary: Incidence of surgical ligations at 30 days

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    End point title
    Incidence of surgical ligations at 30 days
    End point description
    End point type
    Secondary
    End point timeframe
    From Day 0 to Day 30
    End point values
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Number of subjects analysed
    47
    49
    Units: event
        Surgical ligation - Yes
    1
    1
        Surgical ligation - No
    46
    48
    Statistical analysis title
    Group comparison
    Statistical analysis description
    Comparisons between groups was performed by χ2 test. Tests were performed at an alpha level of 5% two-sided
    Comparison groups
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml v PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Number of subjects included in analysis
    96
    Analysis specification
    Pre-specified
    Analysis type
    superiority
    P-value
    ≤ 0.05
    Method
    Chi-squared
    Parameter type
    Success percent
    Confidence interval

    Adverse events

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    Adverse events information
    Timeframe for reporting adverse events
    Adverse Events (AE) were recorded from the signature of the Informed Consent up to the last visit scheduled in the study protocol (40 weeks post conception).
    Adverse event reporting additional description
    Safety was assessed by monitoring the frequency of adverse events in each treatment group. Changes from baseline in physical examination, vital signs and urine output were also assessed. Laboratory analyses were evaluated on the basis of the normal range, the Investigator’s judgment, and mean changes from screening.
    Assessment type
    Systematic
    Dictionary used for adverse event reporting
    Dictionary name
    MedDRA
    Dictionary version
    18.0
    Reporting groups
    Reporting group title
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml
    Reporting group description
    51 subjects treated with Ibuprofen intravenous solution 5mg/ml.

    Reporting group title
    PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Reporting group description
    58 subjects treated with paracetamol 10 mg/ml

    Serious adverse events
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Total subjects affected by serious adverse events
         subjects affected / exposed
    5 / 51 (9.80%)
    10 / 58 (17.24%)
         number of deaths (all causes)
    1
    2
         number of deaths resulting from adverse events
    1
    2
    Vascular disorders
    Haemorrhage
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    1 / 1
    0 / 0
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Congenital, familial and genetic disorders
    Intestinal malrotation
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 1
    0 / 0
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 1
    0 / 0
    Cardiac disorders
    Atrial thrombosis
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 1
    0 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Gastrointestinal disorders
    Intestinal perforation
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    1 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Volvulus
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Necrotising colitis
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    2 / 58 (3.45%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 2
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 2
    Intestinal obstruction
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Acute abdomen
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
    Pulmonary haemorrhage
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Infections and infestations
    Sepsis
         subjects affected / exposed
    2 / 51 (3.92%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 2
    0 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Gastrointestinal infection
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 1
         deaths causally related to treatment / all
    0 / 0
    0 / 0
    Frequency threshold for reporting non-serious adverse events: 5%
    Non-serious adverse events
    IBUPROFEN 5mg/ml PARACETAMOL 10 mg/ml
    Total subjects affected by non serious adverse events
         subjects affected / exposed
    38 / 51 (74.51%)
    34 / 58 (58.62%)
    Vascular disorders
    Hyperaemia
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    0
    Surgical and medical procedures
    Astringent therapy
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    0
    General disorders and administration site conditions
    Oedema
         subjects affected / exposed
    3 / 51 (5.88%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences all number
    3
    1
    Reproductive system and breast disorders
    Vaginal prolapse
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    0
    Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
    Apnoea neonatal
         subjects affected / exposed
    3 / 51 (5.88%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences all number
    3
    1
    Psychiatric disorders
    Agitation
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    2 / 58 (3.45%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    2
    Investigations
    Cardiac murmur
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    0
    Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
    Medication error
         subjects affected / exposed
    0 / 51 (0.00%)
    3 / 58 (5.17%)
         occurrences all number
    0
    3
    Congenital, familial and genetic disorders
    Congenital hyperthyroidism
         subjects affected / exposed
    2 / 51 (3.92%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences all number
    2
    1
    Cardiac disorders
    Bradycardia neonatal
         subjects affected / exposed
    2 / 51 (3.92%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences all number
    2
    0
    Blood and lymphatic system disorders
    Anaemia neonatal
         subjects affected / exposed
    9 / 51 (17.65%)
    11 / 58 (18.97%)
         occurrences all number
    14
    16
    Gastrointestinal disorders
    Abdominal distension
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    2 / 58 (3.45%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    2
    Hepatobiliary disorders
    Jaundice
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    3 / 58 (5.17%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    3
    Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
    Skin lesion
         subjects affected / exposed
    1 / 51 (1.96%)
    1 / 58 (1.72%)
         occurrences all number
    1
    1
    Renal and urinary disorders
    Oliguria
         subjects affected / exposed
    3 / 51 (5.88%)
    0 / 58 (0.00%)
         occurrences all number
    3
    0
    Infections and infestations
    Sepsis
         subjects affected / exposed
    6 / 51 (11.76%)
    7 / 58 (12.07%)
         occurrences all number
    6
    9
    Metabolism and nutrition disorders
    Metabolic acidosis
         subjects affected / exposed
    15 / 51 (29.41%)
    13 / 58 (22.41%)
         occurrences all number
    18
    19

    More information

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    Substantial protocol amendments (globally)

    Were there any global substantial amendments to the protocol? Yes
    Date
    Amendment
    04 Mar 2015
    • The substantial Amendment no. 1 (March 04th, 2015) was carried out to be fully compliant with the Italian Guideline for the treatment of personal data in clinical trials (Deliberazione n° 52 del 24 Luglio 2008 del Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali – “Linee Guida per i Trattamenti di Dati Personali nell’ambito delle Sperimentazioni Cliniche dei Medicinali”). In addition, changes regarding Sponsor Personnel involved in the study and contact details of a vendor were also proposed in the study protocol. Some minor changes were performed to correct typing errors and provide more detailed instructions for the adverse events recording/reporting. An updated version of the Investigator’s Brochure (IB) (version no. 3 of March 04th, 2015) including new Sponsor personnel, new available clinical and post-marketing data was also provided with this Study Amendment. The changes proposed were applied to all sites where the study was submitted/approved. The Study Amendment no. 1 was approved by the National applicable Ethics Committees and the Italian Competent Authority, when applicable.
    05 Oct 2016
    • The substantial Study Amendment no. 3 (October 5th, 2016) proposed the replacement of the Principal Investigator of the investigational site IT5 – UOC Neonatologia e Terapia Intensiva Neonatale, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli (Roma) due to his retirement, starting from the 1st of November 2016. The proposed Study Amendment was applied only to the investigational site IT5 of the present clinical trial. The Study Amendment no.3 was approved notified to the applicable by National Ethics Committee and Competent Authority, when applicableonly

    Interruptions (globally)

    Were there any global interruptions to the trial? No

    Limitations and caveats

    Limitations of the trial such as small numbers of subjects analysed or technical problems leading to unreliable data.
    Not applicable
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