ISRCTN ISRCTN69836939
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN69836939
EudraCT/CTIS number 2013-001354-95
ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01994226
Secondary identifying numbers 15555
Submission date
21/11/2013
Registration date
21/11/2013
Last edited
04/11/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Gout is the most common cause of inflamed joints, affecting 1.4% of adults in the UK. Most patients are treated entirely in general practice yet it is frequently not enough. Acute attacks of gout are excruciatingly painful and require urgent drug treatment to reduce inflammation, most commonly with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or colchicine. In GP surgeries, NSAIDs are most commonly used but can cause serious side effects such as stomach ulcers and heart disease, particularly in the elderly. Patients frequently require repeat prescriptions for recurrent attacks of acute gout, increasing the risk of drug-related side-effects. Low-dose colchicine is popular amongst rheumatologists as it is effective and well-tolerated. However, general practitioners (GPs) seldom prescribe colchicine, probably because in the past the recommendation was for high doses to be prescribed, which commonly caused severe diarrhoea. Recently, prescribing recommendations for colchicine have changed, advocating a lower-dose regime. Currently there is no evidence regarding whether NSAIDs or low-dose colchicine is the best treatment for acute gout. This study is the first direct comparison of the effectiveness and side-effects of a NSAID (naproxen) and low-dose colchicine to treat acute gout in GP surgeries.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 and over consulting their GP, in participating GP practices, with an acute attack of gout

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to receive either low-dose colchicine or Naproxen. Treatment success is assessed by comparing pain reduction between the two drugs using follow-up questionnaires. The study also monitors side-effects, quality of life and cost effectiveness.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Although there is no expected direct benefit for the patient, it is hoped that the study will improve the understanding of how to treat patients with gout in the future. The study is considered to pose no additional risks to participants than normal care for gout.

Where is the study run from?
The study is run from up to 100 general practices across England.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2014 to March 2016

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Ms Jacqueline Gray
j.gray@keele.ac.uk

Study website

Contact information

Ms Jacqueline Gray
Scientific

Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre
Primary Care Sciences
Keele University
Newcastle-Under-Lyme
ST5 5BG
United Kingdom

Email j.gray@keele.ac.uk
Dr Clark Crawford
Scientific

Keele University
Keele
ST5 5BG
United Kingdom

Email research.governance@keele.ac.uk

Study information

Study designRandomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment
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 the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleColchicine Or Naproxen Treatment for ACute gouT: a randomised controlled trial
Study acronymCONTACT
Study hypothesisA randomised, multi-centre, open-label, active-comparator, pragmatic clinical trial of low-dose colchicine versus naproxen in patients with acute gout.
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee North West - Haydock, 13/06/2013, ref: 13/NW/0353
ConditionTopic: Primary Care Research Network for England; Subtopic: Not Assigned; Disease: All Diseases
InterventionParticipants will be randomised on a 1:1 basis to low-dose colchicine (500 mcg orally every eight hours for four days) or Naproxen (Single initial dose of 750 mg followed by 250 mg orally every eight hours for up to seven days). Participants will be followed up for 4 weeks.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase IV
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Colchicine, Naproxen
Primary outcome measurePain intensity, measured on a 0-10 pain intensity numeric rating scale over days 0-7
Secondary outcome measures1. Adherence to trial treatment, measured using patient self report; Timepoint(s): days 1-7
2. Quality of life, measured using EQ-5D 5-L; Timepoint(s): day 7 and 4 weeks
3. Healthcare utilisation (re-attendance at GP/accident and emergency/primary care out-of-hours service), measured using patient self report; Timepoint(s): 4 weeks
4. Patient global assessment of response to treatment, measured using patient self report; Timepoint(s): day 7 and 4 weeks
5. Relapse/recurrence of acute gout, measured using patient self report; Timepoint(s): 4 weeks
6. Side-effects (e.g. nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhoea and abdominal pain), measured using a self-reported questionnaire; Timepoint(s): days 1-7, 4 weeks
7. Time off work/education, measured using patient self report; Timepoint(s): 4 weeks
8. Use of other medications for pain relief (e.g. steroids, paracetamol, opiates), measured using patient self report; Timepoint(s): days 1 - 7 and 4 weeks
Overall study start date25/11/2013
Overall study end date31/03/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 400; UK Sample Size: 400
Total final enrolment399
Participant inclusion criteria1. Adults aged 18 years and over
2. Current attack of acute gout (first attack or recurrent)
3. Capacity and willingness to give consent and complete the trial paperwork
Target Gender: Male & Female; Lower Age Limit 18 years
Participant exclusion criteria1. Known unstable medical conditions (such as ischaemic heart disease, impaired liver function)
2. Known stage 4/5 kidney disease
3. Recent surgery or gastrointestinal bleed
4. History of gastric ulcer
5. Current anticoagulant use
6. Allergy to aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
7. Previous inability to tolerate naproxen or low-dose colchicine
8. Other contraindication to either study drug in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
9. Prescription of naproxen or colchicine in the previous 24 hours
10. Pregnant or lactating females
11. Potentially vulnerable
12. Previous participation in the CONTACT trial during a previous acute attack of gout
13. Involvement in another clinical trial of an investigational medicinal product in the last 90 days or any other research within the last 30 days
Recruitment start date29/01/2014
Recruitment end date31/12/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Keele University
Newcastle-Under-Lyme
ST5 5BG
United Kingdom
100 GP sites
-
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Keele (UK)
University/education

Keele
Newcastle
ST5 5BG
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00340yn33

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Institute for Health Research - School for Primary Care Research (UK)
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
National Institute for Health Research, NIHR Research, NIHRresearch, NIHR - National Institute for Health Research, NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research), NIHR
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/12/2017
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planAbstracts have been accepted for oral presentation at the NIHR School for Primary Care Research Showcase November 2016 and British Society for Rheumatology annual conference April 2017. A single paper is planned reporting both the clinical and cost effectiveness outcomes in a high impact journal.
IPD sharing planThe current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Basic results 28/04/2017 05/05/2017 No No
Basic results 09/08/2019 No No
Basic results 09/08/2019 No No
Results article results 01/02/2020 04/11/2019 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN69836939_BasicResults_28Apr2017.pdf
Uploaded 05/05/2017

Editorial Notes

04/11/2019: Publication reference added.
09/08/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. ClinicalTrials.gov number added.
2. Proactive update review. Added clinicaltrials.gov link to basic results (scientific). Added total final enrollment.
3. Added clinicaltrialsregister.eu link to basic results (scientific). Added total final enrollment.
4. The trial website was added.
05/05/2017: The basic results of this trial have been uploaded as an additional file.
23/07/2015: The overall trial end date was changed from 25/05/2015 to 31/03/2016.