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A Safety and Efficacy Study of a Range of Linaclotide Doses Administered Orally to Children Ages 6-17 Years Who Fulfill Modified Rome III Criteria for Child/Adolescent Functional Constipation (FC)

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Functional Constipation in Children Ages 6-17 Years
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Drug: LIN Dose A
Drug: LIN Dose B
Drug: LIN Dose C
Drug: LIN 145 µg
Registration Number
NCT02559570
Lead Sponsor
Forest Laboratories
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to evaluate dose response of the safety and efficacy of linaclotide for the treatment of functional constipation (FC), in children age 6-17 years. This study includes up to a 4-week Screening Period, and a 2 to 3-week Pretreatment Period. Participants age 6-11 years will receive oral liquid formulation and participants 12-17 years will receive solid oral capsule or liquid oral solution.

Children ages 6-11 years meeting the entry criteria will be randomized to 1 of 3 doses of linaclotide or placebo for 4 weeks. Children ages 12-17 years meeting the entry criteria will be randomized to 1 of 4 doses of linaclotide or placebo for 4 weeks.

This 4-week study will assess the effects of linaclotide on bowel movement frequency, as well as other bowel symptoms of FC.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
173
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participant weighs at least 18 kg (kilograms) (39.7 lbs)
  • Participant meets modified Rome III criteria for child/adolescent FC: For at least 2 months before the Screening Visit, the participant has had 2 or fewer defecations (with each defecation occurring in the absence of any laxative, suppository, or enema use during the preceding 24 hours) in the toilet per week. In addition, at least once per week, patient meets 1 or more of the following:
  • a) History of retentive posturing or excessive volitional stool retention
  • b) History of painful or hard bowel movements (BMs)
  • c) Presence of a large faecal mass in the rectum
  • d) History of large diameter stools that may obstruct the toilet
  • e) At least one episode of fecal incontinence per week
  • Participant is willing to discontinue any laxatives used before the Pretreatment Visit in favor of the protocol-permitted rescue medicine
  • Participant has an average of fewer than 3 spontaneous BMs (SBMs) per week during the 14 days before the randomization day and up to the randomization. An SBM is defined as a BM that occurs in the absence of laxative, enema, or suppository use on the calendar day of the BM or the calendar day before the BM
  • Participant or participant/guardian/legally authorized representative (LAR) or caregiver is compliant with electronic diary (eDiary) by completing both the morning and evening assessments for 10 out of the 14 days immediately preceding the Randomization Visit
Exclusion Criteria
  • Participant meets Rome III criteria for Child/Adolescent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): At least once per week for at least 2 months before the Screening Visit, the participant has experienced abdominal discomfort (an uncomfortable sensation not described as pain) or pain associated with 2 or more of the following at least 25% of the time:
    1. Improvement with defecation
    1. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
    1. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool
  • Participant reports having more than 1 loose, mushy stool (eDiary-recorded stool consistency of 6 on the Pediatric Bristol Stool Form Scale [p-BSFS]) or any watery stool (eDiary-recorded stool consistency of 7 on the p-BSFS) with any SBM that occurred in the absence of laxative use on the calendar day of the BM or the calendar day before the BM during the 14 days before the randomization day and up to the randomization
  • Select medical history or conditions that may be related to other causes of constipation or may interfere with safety and efficacy analyses
  • Participant has required manual or hospital-based disimpassion any time prior to randomization
  • Participant is unable to tolerate the placebo during the Screening Period

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboParticipants aged 6 to 11 or 12 to 17 years received matching placebo linaclotide (LIN), 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks. Administered as liquid oral solution for participants 6 to 11 years of age and solid oral capsule or liquid oral solution for participants 12 to 17 years of age.
LIN Dose A (9 ug or 18 ug)LIN Dose AParticipants aged 6 to 11 years with weight 18 to \<35 kg received LIN 9 ug, oral solution, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks. Participants aged 6 to 11 years with weight ≥35 kg received LIN 18 ug, oral solution, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks. Participants aged 12 to 17 years received LIN 18 ug, oral solution or solid capsules, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks.
LIN Dose B (18 ug or 36 ug)LIN Dose BParticipants aged 6 to 11 years with weight 18 to \<35 kg received LIN 18 ug, oral solution, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks. Participants aged 6 to 11 years with weight ≥35 kg received LIN 36 ug, oral solution, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks. Participants aged 12 to 17 years received LIN 36 ug, oral solution or solid capsules, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks.
LIN Dose C (36 ug or 72 ug)LIN Dose CParticipants aged 6 to 11 years with weight 18 to \<35 kg received LIN 36 ug, oral solution, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks. Participants aged 6 to 11 years with weight ≥35 kg received LIN 72 ug, oral solution, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks. Participants aged 12 to 17 years received LIN 72 ug, oral solution or solid capsules, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks.
LIN 145 µgLIN 145 µgParticipants aged 12 to 17 years received LIN 145 ug, oral solution or solid capsules, 30 minutes before evening meal, once daily for 4 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change From Baseline (CFB) in 4-week Overall Spontaneous Bowel Movement (SBM) Frequency Rate During the Treatment PeriodBaseline (14-day prior to randomization and up to randomization) to Week 4

SBM was defined as a BM that occurred in the absence of laxative, suppository, or enema use on the calendar day of the BM or the calendar day before the BM. SBM rate was defined as SBMs/week during the 4-week Treatment period. Participants recorded the occurrence of BMs and use of rescue medication, morning and evening, daily in an eDiary since pretreatment period. The SBM frequency rate (SBMs/week) during the analysis period for each participant were calculated as \[(total number of SBMs in the analysis period/number of days in the analysis period)\*7\]. Baseline value was based on values collected 14 days before randomization up to randomization. Change from Baseline was calculated as the SBM frequency rate during the 4-week treatment period - SBM frequency rate at baseline. A positive change from Baseline indicates improvement. Least squares mean (LSM) and standard error (SE) were calculated using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) method.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change From Baseline (CFB) in 4-week of Severity of StrainingBaseline (14-day prior to randomization and up to randomization) to Week 4

Severity of straining was scored on 5-point scale for question-When you pooped, how hard did you push? The score ranges from 0= not hard at all,1= I pushed a tiny bit hard,2= I pushed a little hard,3= I pushed hard,4= I pushed very hard with higher scores indicating more severe straining. Participants recorded degree of straining for each BM in morning and evening eDiary. Data was derived as adult derivation and weighted average. Scores during 4-week treatment period were calculated following two approaches - (1) following derivation similar in earlier adult studies, as mean of participant's non-missing, SBM associated straining scores during 4-week treatment period (adult derivation) and (2) as observed weighted average of daily straining scores during that period. Daily straining score was the average of non-missing morning and/or evening assessments of straining score from the SBMs reported by the participants on that specific day. LSM and SE were calculated using ANCOVA method.

Change From Baseline (CFB) in 4-week Daytime Abdominal PainBaseline (14-day prior to randomization) to Week 4

The abdominal pain score was measured using 5-point scale. Participants answered the questions, How much did your tummy hurt as: 0=none, 1=a tiny bit, 2=a little, 3=some, and 4=a lot. The 4-week daytime abdominal pain was calculated as the average of nonmissing scores in evening eDiary during the Treatment Period with higher value indicating greater symptom severity. Baseline value was the average of non-missing values collected 14 days before randomization. Change from Baseline was calculated as the daytime abdominal pain score during the 4-week treatment period (i.e. average of non-missing daytime scores during 4-week treatment period) - daytime abdominal pain score at baseline. A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement. LSM and SE were calculated using ANCOVA method.

Change From Baseline (CFB) in 4-week Stool ConsistencyBaseline (14-day prior to randomization and up to randomization) to Week 4

Participants used 7-point pediatric Bristol Stool Form (p-BSFS) scale to rate stool consistency for each BM in morning and evening eDiary where 1=small hard lumps or balls like pebbles,2=fat sausage shape but lumpy and hard,3=a sausage but with cracks on it,4=sausage or snake, smooth and soft,5=chicken nuggets, soft smooth blobs,6=oatmeal, fluffy mushy pieces,7=milkshake, watery. Scores in 4-week treatment period were calculated by 2 approaches-1) following derivation similar in earlier adult studies, mean of participants non-missing, SBM associated p-BSFS scores during 4-week treatment period (adult derivation),2) observed weighted average of daily p-BSFS scores during that period. Daily p-BSFS score was average of non-missing morning and/or evening assessments of p-BSFS score from SBMs reported by participants on that specific day. Baseline value was based on values collected 14 days before randomization up to randomization. LSM and SE were calculated using ANCOVA method.

Change From Baseline (CFB) in 4-week Abdominal Bloating Daytime Symptoms Based on Evening AssessmentBaseline (14-day prior to randomization) to Week 4

Participants recorded their assessment of abdominal bloating in the evening eDiary. Participants answered the question: How big and full did your tummy feel? on a scale, where: 0=none, 1=a tiny bit, 2=a little, 3=medium or 4=very, with a higher score indicating more severe bloating. Baseline value was the average of values collected 14 days before randomization. The 4-week daytime abdominal bloating symptoms were calculated as the average of non-missing scores reported in the evening eDiary during the treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated as the 4-week daytime abdominal bloating score during the treatment period - daytime abdominal bloating score at baseline. A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement. LSM and SE were calculated using ANCOVA method.

Change From Baseline (CFB) in 4-week Overall Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movement Frequency Rate (CSBM/Week) During the Treatment PeriodBaseline (14-day prior to randomization and up to randomization) to Week 4

SBM was defined as a BM that occurred in the absence of laxative, suppository, or enema use on the calendar day of the BM or the calendar day before the BM. A CSBM was an SBM that was associated with a sense of complete evacuation. Participants recorded their assessment of the sensation of incomplete evacuation for each BM in the morning and evening eDiary. The 4-week overall CSBM frequency rate was calculated as \[total number of CSBMs in the analysis period/number of days in the analysis period\]\*7). Baseline value was based on values collected 14 days before randomization and up to randomization. Change from Baseline was calculated as the CSBM frequency rate during the 4-week treatment period - CSBM frequency rate at baseline. A positive change from Baseline indicates improvement. LSM and SE were calculated using ANCOVA method.

Change From Baseline in 4-week Fecal Incontinence Daytime Symptoms Based on Evening AssessmentBaseline (14-day prior to randomization) to Week 4

Participants recorded the presence of incontinence episodes in daytime daily since pre-treatment period (14-day prior to randomization) in the evening eDiary for participants randomized following protocol amendment #3. The 4-week daytime fecal incontinence was calculated as the mean of non-missing participant scores reported in the evening eDiary during the Treatment Period. Baseline value was the average of values collected 14 days before randomization. Change from Baseline was calculated as the 4-week fecal incontinence daytime symptoms during the treatment period - fecal incontinence daytime symptoms at baseline. A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement.

No data is reported for LIN 145 μg as it was an exploratory arm group.

Trial Locations

Locations (61)

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

🇺🇸

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Seattle Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Seattle, Washington, United States

Houston Clinical Research Associates

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Colorado Springs Health Partners, HCP-Clinical Research, LLC

🇺🇸

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Center for Clinical Trials, LLC

🇺🇸

Paramount, California, United States

Massachusetts General Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Orange County Research Institute

🇺🇸

Ontario, California, United States

Ventura Clinical Trials

🇺🇸

Ventura, California, United States

Homestead Research Institute

🇺🇸

Homestead, Florida, United States

Midwest Children Health Research Institute

🇺🇸

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States

ACTCA, Inc

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

Children's Center for Digestive Health Care LLC

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Goryeb Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Morristown, New Jersey, United States

Advanced Research Center

🇺🇸

Anaheim, California, United States

Willis-Knighton Physician Network

🇺🇸

Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

University of Maryland Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Columbia University Medical Center and Morgan Stanley

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

SCORE Physician Alliance, LLC

🇺🇸

Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States

Nova Southeastern University

🇺🇸

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

GI Associates and Endoscopy Center

🇺🇸

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Michael W. Simon, MD, PSC

🇺🇸

Nicholasville, Kentucky, United States

Sun Research Institute

🇺🇸

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Children's Hospital of Western Ontario

🇨🇦

London, Ontario, Canada

Heartland Research Associates, LLC

🇺🇸

Wichita, Kansas, United States

HealthStar Research, LLC

🇺🇸

Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States

Applied Research Center of Arkansas

🇺🇸

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Kindred Medical Institute for Clinical Trials, LLC

🇺🇸

Corona, California, United States

Ark Clinical Research

🇺🇸

Long Beach, California, United States

RM Medical Research

🇺🇸

Homestead, Florida, United States

Sleepcare Clinical Research Institute

🇺🇸

Stockbridge, Georgia, United States

Kentucky Pediatric/ Adult Research

🇺🇸

Bardstown, Kentucky, United States

Asheboro Research Associates

🇺🇸

Asheboro, North Carolina, United States

Preferred Primary Care Physicians, Inc.

🇺🇸

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Cook Children's Medical Center

🇺🇸

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

WCCT Global, LLC

🇺🇸

Costa Mesa, California, United States

Coastal Pediatrics Associates

🇺🇸

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, United States

Capital Pediatrics and Adolescent Center PLLC

🇺🇸

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

Ohio Pediatric Research Association

🇺🇸

Dayton, Ohio, United States

Craig A. Speigel, MD

🇺🇸

Bridgeton, Missouri, United States

Pediatric Care Specialists

🇺🇸

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Montgomery Medical Inc.

🇺🇸

Smithfield, Pennsylvania, United States

Stollery Children's Hospital

🇨🇦

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Frontier Clinical Research, LLC

🇺🇸

Scottdale, Pennsylvania, United States

ClinPoint Trials

🇺🇸

Waxahachie, Texas, United States

Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College Medicine

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia

🇺🇸

Fairfax, Virginia, United States

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Pediatric

🇺🇸

Roanoke, Virginia, United States

UCSD Rady Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

University of California at San Francisco

🇺🇸

San Francisco, California, United States

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

🇺🇸

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

IPS Research Company

🇺🇸

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Advanced Medical Research Center

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health

🇺🇸

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Kosair Children's Hospital - Pediatric Clinical Research Unit

🇺🇸

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

University Of Minnesota

🇺🇸

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Coastal Pediatric Research

🇺🇸

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Southwest Children's Research Associates, P.A.

🇺🇸

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Foothill Family Clinic South / J. Lewis Research, Inc.

🇺🇸

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Rhode Island Hospital

🇺🇸

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

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