Effect of Low Dose Corticosteroids on Perioperative Markers of Thrombosis and Fibrinolysis in Total Knee Arthroplasty

NCT01815918 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE4 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 60

Last updated 2022-04-14

Study results available
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Summary

One postoperative complication following unilateral or bilateral total knee arthroplasty is thrombosis (blood clot formation). In this prospective, double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial, researchers are investigating the effect of steroids on biochemical markers of thrombosis. Furthermore, elevated cellular markers of thrombosis (specifically IL-6) have been linked to postoperative depression following total knee arthroplasty surgery. Hence the investigators are also checking if use of hydrocortisone, a steroid, may help reduce the incidence of postoperative depression.

Other studies have shown that surgery causes some reaction in the body that is consistent with inflammation. When the inflammation is extensive, it may affect different parts of the body. It may also lead to clotting disorders and result in blood clots. In a previous study by this principal investigator (see reference 22, "Use of low-dose steroids in decreasing cytokine release during bilateral total knee arthroplasty"), hydrocortisone was administered over 24 hours following surgery to patients who underwent bilateral total knee arthroplasty. The investigator found lower levels of cellular markers consistent with inflammation (specifically the protein, IL-6). Steroid use also showed additional benefits, such as decreased pain and better range of motion at the knee.

In this study, investigators recruit patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty surgery. Patients are randomized to receive three 100 mg doses of hydrocortisone or three doses of a saline placebo. In addition to analyzing patients' blood samples for hydrocortisone's effect on clotting factors (i.e. IL-6), investigators record patients' pain scores and patients' oral analgesic use. To assess patients' well-being, patients are contacted one month and 3 months following their surgeries and administered the Patient Health Questionnaire (see reference 23, "The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure.") arthroplasty.

Conditions

  • Total Knee Arthroplasty

Interventions

DRUG

Hydrocortisone

Patients randomized to treatment arm will three doses of 100 mg of hydrocortisone at the following times: prior to surgery, 8 hours after the first dose and 16 hours after the first dose.

DRUG

Placebo

Patients receive placebo prior to surgery, 8 hours after the first dose and 16 hours after the first dose.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Kethy Jules-Elysée, M.D. · Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Max Age
90 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2011-02-28
Primary Completion
2012-04-30
Completion
2012-04-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Drugs

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01815918 on ClinicalTrials.gov