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Mobile-Directly Observed Therapy on Adherence to Hydroxyurea

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Sickle Cell Anaemia
Interventions
Device: Mobile Directly Observed Therapy
Registration Number
NCT02844673
Lead Sponsor
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Brief Summary

To examine the effect of mobile-directly observed therapy (mDOT) on adherence to HU (mDOT-HuA) adults with SCA at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Tanzania.

Detailed Description

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) has been demonstrated to be efficacious in reducing complications in individuals with Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) but poor adherence is a barrier to improving outcomes in patients with SCA. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) has been shown to improve adherence in various chronic diseases but there is limited data in adults with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).

Methods and design: To examine the effect of mobile-directly observed therapy (mDOT) on adherence to HU (mDOT-HuA) adults with SCA at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Tanzania.The mDOT-HuA study is single centre, prospective, randomized, open label clinical trial. 100 participants with SCA with hemoglobin SS genotype, aged ≥18 years, living in urban Dar es Salaam and able and willing to participate in the study. Participants will be divided into two treatment arms; 50 in standard monitoring (SM) arm: will receive fixed dose HU therapy with standard monitoring. 50 in treatment mDOT arm: will receive fixed dose HU therapy with standard monitoring and a mobile direct observed web based medication adherence monitoring system. The primary outcome is adherence to HU as defined as medication possession ratio of ≥80 at end of 3 months of HU treatment and mDOT monitoring. Secondary outcomes will be efficacy to HU treatment as measured through the the mean change in fetal hemoglobin (between baseline and end of 3 months) and safety, measured as the proportion of participants experiencing serious adverse events related to HU at week 2, 6, 10 and at the end of 3 months.

REDCap, an open source software application will be used to collect data using clinical research forms.

Conclusion: This project has the potential for the development of novel strategies for improving HU adherence in SCA.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
98
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥18 years and living in urban Dar es Salaam
  • Male or female (post-menopausal, sterile, or using an acceptable method of contraception)
  • Negative urine pregnancy test at Screening and a negative urine pregnancy test (dipstick) prior to randomization and dosing
  • Hemoglobin SS genotype
  • Absolute neutrophil count >1,500/uL
  • Platelet count >95,000/uL
  • Serum creatinine< 100 µmol/L (1.2 mg/dL)
  • Alanine transaminase (ALT) less than two times the upper limit of normal
  • Being able and willing to record and submit videos electronically
Exclusion Criteria
  • Chronic transfusion program as defined by participating in a scheduled (pre-planned) series of transfusions for prophylactic purposes or has a hemoglobin A level that is >20% of the total hemoglobin
  • Hemoglobin <4.0 g/dL
  • HIV positive
  • Female planning to become pregnant during the study period
  • Serious mental (including psychosis) or physical illness, which, in the opinion of the Investigators would compromise participation in the study (e.g. impaired mental capacity, alcoholism
  • Any condition which the Investigators judge to preclude safe participation in the study or to confound the evaluation of the study outcome.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
mDOT armMobile Directly Observed TherapyParticipants will receive fixed dose hydroxyurea therapy (15 mg/Kg/day) and Mobile Directly Observed Therapy (mDOT) consisting of a web based medication adherence monitoring system that includes direct video confirmation of adherence using the patient's personal cellular telephone. Participants will receive alerts on their cell phone at pre-arranged times to remind them to take their medications. Participants will be followed-up at two weeks after initiation of therapy and monthly thereafter.
Standard monitoring (SM) armHydroxyureaParticipants will receive fixed dose hydroxyurea therapy (15 mg/Kg/day) with standard monitoring. Standard monitoring is defined as a follow-up visit two weeks after initiation of therapy and monthly follow-ups thereafter
mDOT armHydroxyureaParticipants will receive fixed dose hydroxyurea therapy (15 mg/Kg/day) and Mobile Directly Observed Therapy (mDOT) consisting of a web based medication adherence monitoring system that includes direct video confirmation of adherence using the patient's personal cellular telephone. Participants will receive alerts on their cell phone at pre-arranged times to remind them to take their medications. Participants will be followed-up at two weeks after initiation of therapy and monthly thereafter.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The proportion of participants achieving ≥80% HU adherence as assessed through medication possession ratio.At the end of 3 months of Hydroxyurea treatment and monitoring.

The proportion of participants achieving ≥80% HU adherence will compared between the two arms.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Efficacy of Hydroxyurea treatment as measured through the mean change in fetal hemoglobin (%),At the end of 3 months of Hydroxyurea treatment and monitoring.

The mean change in fetal hemoglobin (between baseline and end of 3 months) will be compared between the two arms.

The proportion of participants experiencing serious adverse events (SAE) related to hydroxyureaat week 2, 6 ,10 and at the end of 3 months of Hydroxyurea treatment and monitoring.

The overall proportion of participants experiencing SAE during the 3 months of Hydroxyurea treatment will be evaluated as a measure of the safety of treatment with Hydroxyurea

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

🇹🇿

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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