ISRCTN ISRCTN59048638
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN59048638
Submission date
31/05/2020
Registration date
04/06/2020
Last edited
08/03/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
COVID-19 is a condition caused by the coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in late 2019. This virus can infect the respiratory (breathing) system. Some people do not have symptoms but can carry the virus and pass it on to others. People who have developed the condition may develop a fever and/or a continuous cough among other symptoms. This can develop into pneumonia. Pneumonia is a chest infection where the small air pockets of the lungs, called alveoli, fill with liquid and make it more difficult to breathe.

In 2020, the virus has spread to many countries around the world and neither a vaccine against the virus or specific treatment for COVID-19 has yet been developed. As of March 2020, it is advised that people minimize travel and social contact, and regularly wash their hands to reduce the spread of the virus.

Groups who are at a higher risk from infection with the virus, and therefore of developing COVID-19, include people aged over 70 years, people who have long-term health conditions (such as asthma or diabetes), people who have a weakened immune system and people who are pregnant. People in these groups, and people who might come into contact with them, can reduce this risk by following the up-to-date advice to reduce the spread of the virus.

The COVID 19 pandemic has caused a severe impact not only for its clinical manifestation, but also the modifications imposed in the daily routine. The rapid dissemination and novelty of pathophysiology has limited the capability of obtaining useful and truthful information. Recently, information has been being obtained on the impact of this disease on the blood vessels.

The aim of this study is to know whether the use of sulodexide has any effect on the clinical response of patients presenting COVID-19.

Who can participate?
Adults between 40 - 80 years old, with confirmed COVID-19.

What does the study involve?
Patients that visit emergency ward or primary care facility with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 will start oral dose of sulodexide.
A follow-up visit will be scheduled via electronic media (home phone, cell phone, computer, video-connect) at 7 day intervals for 21 days, if there is no form of electronic communication, a personal visit will be arranged at the participant home by one of the trial collaborators. Extra follow-up session will be available at a 24hrs phone line for emergencies as needed.
If hospital care is needed, a follow-up visit will be arranged every day during the course of the hospital stay by a trial collaborator, not interfering with hospital policies or treatments established. If the treating physician determines the necessity to terminate sulodexide, the practitioners will stop medication.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits: when infected with COVID-19 the use of sulodexide may reduce the severity of clinical symptoms avoiding the need for hospital admission and/or develop more severe complications.
Risks: only the ones related to the use of the medication, mostly reported gastrointestinal discomfort in some patients. will not interfere with commonly recommend treatment of COVID-19

Where is the study run from?
CLINEDEM (Mexico)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2020 to November 2020

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded

Who is the main contact?
Dr Alejandro Jose Gonzalez Ochoa, alex8as2@yahoo.com.mx

Contact information

Dr Alejandro Jose Gonzalez Ochoa
Scientific

Cjon 5 De Mayo y Calle 7
No 791 Int 1b
San Luis Rio Colorado
83449
Mexico

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-5068-623X
Phone +52 6535367497
Email ALEX8AS2@YAHOO.COM.MX

Study information

Study designProspective interventional cohort study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)GP practice
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleSulodexide in the treatment of early stages of COVID-19: A randomised controlled trial
Study acronymERSul study
Study hypothesisUse of a medication with endothelium restoration, antiinflammatory and antithrombotic properties can reduce the severity of presentation of in COVID-19 positive patients
Ethics approval(s)Approved 28/05/2020 Comite de Etica e Investigacion Facultad de Medicina Mexicali (Coordinacion de posgrado e Investigacion, Av Alvaro Obregon y Julian Carrillo s-n Col. Nueva CP 21100; +52 686 551 9497; cei.fm@uabc.edu.mx), ref: none provided
ConditionCOVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection)
InterventionCurrent interventions as of 09/09/2020:
Group A: patients with COVID-19 early symptoms to received mask placebo 500LRU twice a day +
standard of care.

Group B: patients with COVID-19 early symptoms to received Sulodexide 500 RLU bid + standard
of care

Group A and B will be randomized by computer software allocation program.

For group A participants, general demographic information will be collected and baseline serum levels of d-dimer, C-reactive protein, Creatinine will be taken; a collaborating physician will be followed to the study under physical home or virtual visit (cell, computer, telephone) every 7 days for a period of 21 days as available, making records of any symptomatology referred to by the patient or need to go to the hospital; in case of admission to hospital, information is requested from your treating physician about its evolution until its release, prior authorization by the patient.


Previous interventions:
Group A: patients with COVID-19 early symptoms to received placebo + conventional treatment;
Group B: patients with COVID-19 early symptoms to received Sulodexide 250 RLU bid + conventional treatment
Group C: high risk of infection to received sulodexide 250 RLU

Group A and B will be randomized by computer software allocation program, group C will be not randomized. Treatment will last 1 month.

For group A participants, general demographic information will be collected and baseline levels of D-dimer taken; will receive placebo on the same packaging as your original sulodexide, a collaborating physician will be followed to the study under physical home or virtual visit (cell, computer, telephone) every 7 days for a period of 21 days as available, making records of any symptomatology referred to by the patient or need to go to the hospital; in case of admission to hospital, information is requested from your treating physician about its evolution until its release, prior authorization by the patient.
If the patient is assigned group B, he will receive doses of sulodexide taking 250LRU (1 tablet) every 12 hours, basal levels of D-dimmer will be taken, will receive the same follow-up as group A.
If group C is assigned, the participant will receive an oral dose of 250LRU every 12 hours for 21 days, if it remains asymptomatic COVID-19 test at 21 days, if you report negative, the participation in the study will be terminated; in case of initiating suspicious symptomatology, testing for COVID-19 will be performed, if positive, will follow the same protocol of group B in relation to follow-up, if negative, will be terminated its participation in the study.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Sulodexide
Primary outcome measureCurrent primary outcome measure as of 09/09/2020:
The Clinical-Therapeutic response will be defined as the need for hospitalization, length of stay in hospital (days), need for oxygen support, length of need for oxygen support (days), and death measured using patient records collected between baseline and 21 days


Previous primary outcome measure:
The Clinical-Therapeutic response will be defined as the need for hospitalization, presence of thromboembolic complications, length of stay in hospital (days), need for use of mechanical ventilation, need for hemodialysis, major haemorrhagic complications, death measured using patient records throughout the study
Secondary outcome measuresCurrent secondary outcome measures as of 09/09/2020:
1. Serum levels of D dimer, C-reactive protein, and Creatinine measured by a blood test at baseline and 14 days
2. Incidence of a thromboembolic event confirmed by ultrasound or CT between baseline and 21 days
3. Incidence of a major bleeding event between baseline and 21 days


Previous secondary outcome measures:
Levels of D dimmer measured by a blood test in an authorized laboratory site. in group A and B, will be measured at the first visit and at the end of the trial (21 days). Group C will be measured only if positive COVID-19 infection
Overall study start date15/04/2020
Overall study end date30/11/2020

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants200
Total final enrolment243
Participant inclusion criteriaCurrent participant inclusion criteria as of 09/09/2020:
1. Less than 3 days onset of COVID-19 suspected symptoms
2. Age between 40 - 80 years
3. Body mass index between 18 - 35 kg/m²
4. >50% calculated risk for severe clinical progression


Previous participant inclusion criteria:
1. Less than 3 days onset of COVID-19 suspected symptoms
2. Age between 40 - 80 years
3. Body mass index between 18 - 35 kg/m²
4. History of DM, hypertension, CPOD, or other chronic disease
Participant exclusion criteriaCurrent participant exclusion criteria as of 09/09/2020:
1. COVID-19 negative test.
2. Reluctant to take medication
3. Reluctant to followup
4. Bed confinement
5. Chronic use of steroids
6. History of deep vein thrombosis in the last 6 months
7. Chronic use of anticoagulation
8. Already in hospital care
9. Previous treatment for COVID-19


Previous participant exclusion criteria:
1. COVID-19 negative test.
2. Reluctant to take medication
3. Reluctant to followup
4. Bed confinement
5. Chronic use of steroids
6. History of deep vein thrombosis in the last 6 months
7. Chronic use of anticoagulation
Recruitment start date15/06/2020
Recruitment end date06/08/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Mexico

Study participating centre

CLINEDEM
Cjon 5 De Mayo y Calle 7 No 791 Int 1b
San Luis Rio Colorado
83449
Mexico

Sponsor information

CLINEDEM
Hospital/treatment centre

Cjon 5 De Mayo Calle 7 #791
San Luis Rio Colorado
83449
Mexico

Phone +52 6535367497
Email 2alex8as@gmail.com

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

alfasigma Mexico

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date12/12/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planJournal publication, oral meeting presentation.
IPD sharing planAll data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Basic results 04/12/2020 11/12/2020 No No
Results article results 07/03/2021 08/03/2021 Yes No

Additional files

ISRCTN59048638_BasicResults_04Dec2020.pdf
uploaded 11/12/2020

Editorial Notes

08/03/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
11/12/2020: The basic results of this trial have been uploaded as an additional file.
04/12/2020: The scientific title has been changed from "Sulodexide in the treatment of early stages of COVID-19" to "Sulodexide in the treatment of early stages of COVID-19: A randomised controlled trial".
09/09/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 24/07/2020 to 06/08/2020.
2. The interventions have been updated.
3. The primary outcome measure has been updated.
4. The secondary outcome measures have been updated.
5. The participant inclusion criteria have been updated.
6. The participant exclusion criteria have been updated.
7. The total target enrolment and target number of participants have been changed from 600 to 200.
28/07/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The scientific title was changed from "Endothelium restoration and the effect of sulodexide in the treatment of COVID-19" to "Sulodexide in the treatment of early stages of COVID-19".
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/09/2020 to 24/07/2020.
03/06/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by Comite de Etica e Investigacion Facultad de Medicina Mexicali Universidad Autonoma de Baja California