Trial Outcomes & Findings for A Long Term Extension Study Evaluating Safety Of Sildenafil Citrate When Used To Treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) In Children (NCT NCT00159874)

This extension study included 220 participants at 31 sites. 14 participants did not go from A1481131 (NCT00159913) to A1481156. Participants from one center in Canada participated in base study A1481131 (NCT00159913) but not in this extension study.

Participants remained in the same dose group as in study A1481131 (NCT00159913). Participants randomized to placebo in NCT00159913 were rerandomized to sildenafil in A1481156. Placebo participants in low weight category were rerandomized to medium or high dose (1:2) and other weight categories were rerandomized to low, medium or high dose (1:1:1).

A Long Term Extension Study Evaluating Safety Of Sildenafil Citrate When Used To Treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) In Children

Safety was measured according to standard adverse event collection as described in the adverse event section of the results. Complete tables of the adverse events according to the A1481156 treatment groups are provided in the reported adverse event section.

Safety was measured according to standard adverse event collection as described in the adverse event section of the results.

Safety was measured according to standard adverse event collection as described in the adverse event section of the results. Complete tables of the serious adverse events according to the A1481156 treatment groups are provided in the reported adverse event section.

All serious adverse events regardless of treatment group or suspected relationship to study drug were reported. Investigators were to provide independent determination of possible causality of any serious adverse event.

Deaths were reported immediately independent of the circumstances or suspected cause at any time during the study through the last follow-up visit or 30 days after the last administration of study drug, whichever comes later.

Deaths were reported immediately independent of the circumstances or suspected cause at any time during the study through the last follow-up visit or 30 days after the last administration of study drug, whichever comes later.

Participant who experienced drug-related intolerance, the participant's dose was reduced by 50%. If, after a dose reduction, the participant continued to appear intolerant, they were discontinued from study treatment.

Based on review of the survival data, DMC concluded that the high dose of sildenafil was associated with a harmful effect on survival when compared to the low dose. The DMC also expressed concern as to the potential dose-response relationship between increasing dose and mortality. Therefore, on 04 August 2011, the DMC recommended discontinuation of the 40 mg and 80 mg three times a day (TID) doses, as well as the 20 mg TID dose in children with body weight ≤20 kg. The protocol was amended per DMC recommendations.

Visual Acuity is measured either using the reduced Snellen test or via Teller cards, and was assessed in the left and right eyes separately. There were 9 lines on the reduced Snellen chart which were coded as 6/60, 6/36, 6/24, 6/18, 6/12, 6/9, 6/6, 6/5, 6/4 (where 6/60 was the easiest to read and 6/4 was the most difficult to read). If a participant experienced a visual adverse event the investigator was asked to perform additional ocular assessments either at the visit when the participant reported the visual adverse event or at an unplanned visit.

Colour vision was measured where appropriate via the Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 Hue test. This test was performed in both eyes simultaneously or just in a single specific eye. If using a single eye the same eye was used throughout the study. In case of young participants an age-and-ability-appropriate evaluation such as the Ishihara Test for Unlettered Persons were conducted.

Participant's cognitive development status was assessed at A1481156 baseline (Week 16 in A1481131; NCT00159913) using the physician assessment questions. Assessment question (i.e., compared to other children the participant's age group is this participant's cognitive development limited?) included the following criteria : severely limited, moderately limited, mildly limited and not limited.

Participant's cognitive development status was assessed at Week 52 using the physician assessment questions. Assessment question (i.e., compared to other children the participant's age group is this participant's cognitive development limited?) included the following criteria : severely limited, moderately limited, mildly limited and not limited.

Participant's motor development status was assessed at A1481156 baseline (Week 16 in A1481131; NCT00159913) using the physician assessment questions. Assessment question (i.e., compared to other children the participant's age group is this participant's motor development limited?) included the following criteria : severely limited, moderately limited, mildly limited and not limited.

Participant's motor development status was assessed at Week 52 using the physician assessment questions. Assessment question (i.e., compared to other children the participant's age group is this participant's motor development limited?) included the following criteria : severely limited, moderately limited, mildly limited and not limited.

Exercise Tolerance Test (CPX test) was performed on developmentally able participants to determine the peak volume of VO2 consumed. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913). The CPX tests were performed as close to trough plasma levels of sildenafil as possible, i.e., prior to dosing and at least 4 hours after the previous dose. If participants were able to perform the CPX test in Study A1481131 (NCT00159913), they were expected to be able to perform the exercise paradigm in the extension study (A1481156) unless their clinical condition had deteriorated and the investigator considered this was unsafe for the participant

Exercise Tolerance Test (CPX test) was performed on developmentally able participants to measure the percent predicted peak VO2 at Week 16 and Year 1. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913). The CPX tests were performed as close to trough plasma levels of sildenafil as possible, i.e., prior to dosing and at least 4 hours after the previous dose. If participants were able to perform the CPX test in Study A1481131 (NCT00159913), they were expected to be able to perform the exercise paradigm in the extension study (A1481156) unless their clinical condition had deteriorated and the investigator considered this was unsafe for the participant.

Exercise Tolerance Test (CPX test) was performed on developmentally able participants to determine the time to maximum VO2. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913). The CPX tests were performed as close to trough plasma levels of sildenafil as possible, i.e., prior to dosing and at least 4 hours after the previous dose. If participants were able to perform the CPX test in Study A1481131 (NCT00159913), they were expected to be able to perform the exercise paradigm in the extension study (A1481156) unless their clinical condition had deteriorated and the investigator considered this was unsafe for the participant.

This is the ratio of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced to O2 consumed \[VCO2/VO2\]. Exercise Tolerance Test was performed on developmentally able participants to determine the respiratory exchange ratio on week 16 and Year 1. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913).

Exercise Tolerance Test (CPX test) was performed on developmentally able participants to determine the total ventilation. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913). The CPX tests were performed as close to trough plasma levels of sildenafil as possible, i.e., prior to dosing and at least 4 hours after the previous dose. If participants were able to perform the CPX test in Study A1481131 (NCT00159913), they were expected to be able to perform the exercise paradigm in the extension study (A1481156) unless their clinical condition had deteriorated and the investigator considered this was unsafe for the participant.

Exercise Tolerance Test (CPX test) was performed on developmentally able participants to measure the End Tidal O2 at Year 1. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913). The CPX tests were performed as close to trough plasma levels of sildenafil as possible, i.e., prior to dosing and at least 4 hours after the previous dose. If participants were able to perform the CPX test in Study A1481131 (NCT00159913), they were expected to be able to perform the exercise paradigm in the extension study (A1481156) unless their clinical condition had deteriorated and the investigator considered this was unsafe for the participant.

Exercise Tolerance Test (CPX test) was performed on developmentally able participants to measure the End Tidal CO2 at Year 1. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913). The CPX tests were performed as close to trough plasma levels of sildenafil as possible, i.e., prior to dosing and at least 4 hours after the previous dose. If participants were able to perform the CPX test in Study A1481131 (NCT00159913), they were expected to be able to perform the exercise paradigm in the extension study (A1481156) unless their clinical condition had deteriorated and the investigator considered this was unsafe for the participant.

Exercise Tolerance Test (CPX test) was performed on developmentally able participants to measure the anaerobic threshold at Week 16 and Year 1. Participants were assumed to be developmentally able if they had a CPX exercise assessment at any visit during study A1481131 (NCT00159913). The CPX tests were performed as close to trough plasma levels of sildenafil as possible, i.e., prior to dosing and at least 4 hours after the previous dose. If participants were able to perform the CPX test in Study A1481131 (NCT00159913), they were expected to be able to perform the exercise paradigm in the extension study (A1481156) unless their clinical condition had deteriorated and the investigator considered this was unsafe for the participant.

The WHO PH functional classification was as follows: Class I : Participants with PH but without resulting limitation of physical activity. Class II : Participants with PH resulting in slight limitation of physical activity. Class III : Participants with PH resulting in marked limitation of physical activity. Class IV : Participants with PH with inability to carry out any physical activity without symptoms. Changes from baseline in functional class were summarized at Years 1, 2, 3, and 4. Numbers of participants improving by 3 classes, improving by 2 classes, improving by 1 class, not changing, worsening by 1 class, worsening by 2 classes or worsening by 3 classes from A1481131 baseline at Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 were evaluated.

The WHO PH functional classification was as follows: Class I : Participants with PH but without resulting limitation of physical activity. Class II : Participants with PH resulting in slight limitation of physical activity. Class III : Participants with PH resulting in marked limitation of physical activity. Class IV : Participants with PH with inability to carry out any physical activity without symptoms. Changes from baseline in functional class were summarised at Years 1, 2, 3, and 4. Numbers of participants improving by 3 classes, improving by 2 classes, improving by 1 class, not changing, worsening by 1 class, worsening by 2 classes or worsening by 3 classes from A1481131 baseline at Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 were evaluated.

The WHO PH functional classification was as follows: Class I : Participants with PH but without resulting limitation of physical activity. Class II : Participants with PH resulting in slight limitation of physical activity. Class III : Participants with PH resulting in marked limitation of physical activity. Class IV : Participants with PH with inability to carry out any physical activity without symptoms. Changes from baseline in functional class were summarised at Years 1, 2, 3, and 4. Numbers of participants improving by 3 classes, improving by 2 classes, improving by 1 class, not changing, worsening by 1 class, worsening by 2 classes or worsening by 3 classes from A1481131 (NCT00159913) baseline at Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 were evaluated.

The WHO PH functional classification was as follows: Class I : Participants with PH but without resulting limitation of physical activity. Class II : Participants with PH resulting in slight limitation of physical activity. Class III : Participants with PH resulting in marked limitation of physical activity. Class IV : Participants with PH with inability to carry out any physical activity without symptoms. Changes from baseline in functional class were summarised at Years 1, 2, 3, and 4. Numbers of participants improving by 3 classes, improving by 2 classes, improving by 1 class, not changing, worsening by 1 class, worsening by 2 classes or worsening by 3 classes from A1481131 baseline at Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 were evaluated.

This was defined as an addition or discontinuation in the class(es) of drugs used as background medication (e.g., anticoagulants, oxygen, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin) compared to baseline of Study A1481131 (NCT00159913).

CHQ: 50-item, 15 subscale parent or legal guardian assessed instrument of child's physical, emotional, social well-being, and relative burden of disease on the parents; rated on Likert-type scale: range 0 to 100; higher scores indicate a more positive health status. Global indicators for Physical Health and Psychosocial Health are weighted composites derived from subscale items using scoring algorithms (transformed scores); range 0 to 100: higher scores indicate more positive health status.

CHQ: 50-item, 15 subscale parent or legal guardian assessed instrument of child's physical, emotional, social well-being, and relative burden of disease on the parents; rated on Likert-type scale: range 0 to 100; higher scores indicate a more positive health status. Global indicators for Physical Health and Psychosocial Health are weighted composites derived from subscale items using scoring algorithms (transformed scores); range 0 to 100: higher scores indicate more positive health status.

The participant (parent) global assessment of disease severity was assessed at Year 1 in this extension study. The number and percentage of participants markedly improved, moderately improved, mild improvement, no change, slightly worse, moderately worse, markedly worse were evaluated. Participants who withdrew from study treatment after at least 10 weeks of treatment were requested to perform the global assessments.

The physician global assessment of disease severity was assessed at Year 1 in this extension study. The number and percentage of participants with markedly improved, moderately improved, mild improvement, no change, slightly worse, moderately worse, markedly worse were evaluated. Participants who withdrew from study treatment after at least 10 weeks of treatment were requested to perform the global assessments.