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Managing Medication-induced Constipation in Cancer: A Clinical Trial

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Constipation
Interventions
Other: Laxative Treatment
Other: Standard of Care
Other: Assessment Questionnaires
Registration Number
NCT01416909
Lead Sponsor
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Brief Summary

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Constipation Treatment Protocol and to test whether management according to dose of constipation-inducing medications or according to on-going assessment is most effective.

Detailed Description

Patients will undergo a baseline assessment during their regular outpatient visit. With their permission, the investigators will audio record this visit for quality control. After the study, the recordings will be erased. Patients will be asked to complete 4 questionnaires. The investigators will collect contact information so that the follow-up assessments can be done by phone.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
601
Inclusion Criteria
  • The study sample will consist of patients who are receiving outpatient care at the Moffitt Cancer Center.
  • Patients will be identified as those who have a diagnosis of cancer and are being treated with either opioids or vinca alkaloids,
  • are adults (or children 18-21 years old),
  • either male or female,
  • able to read and understand English,
  • and able to pass screening with the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients will be excluded: if they have non-melanoma skin cancer or colorectal or gynecological cancer as their primary diagnosis;
  • if they are excessively debilitated or deemed unlikely to survive for the eight weeks of the data collection period;
  • if they are unable to read and understand English;
  • if they have an ostomy that changes bowel function;
  • if they have a current peritoneal catheter;
  • if they have had abdominal surgery within the past six weeks;
  • or have a disease process suggestive of mechanical obstruction (tumor or adhesion);
  • if they have a history of chronic bowel disease (including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation prior to cancer onset, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or diarrhea as a result of radiation to the pelvis), or report chronic laxative use prior to cancer onset.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Dose Intervention - OpioidAssessment QuestionnairesLaxative Treatment: Participants Receiving Opioids for the Treatment of Pain. Participants will be taken off any laxative preparation they may already be on and will be put on laxative treatment based on the Constipation Treatment Protocol. The dose of laxative will be based on the dose of the opioid pain medication they are receiving.
Dose Intervention - OpioidLaxative TreatmentLaxative Treatment: Participants Receiving Opioids for the Treatment of Pain. Participants will be taken off any laxative preparation they may already be on and will be put on laxative treatment based on the Constipation Treatment Protocol. The dose of laxative will be based on the dose of the opioid pain medication they are receiving.
Assessment Intervention - OpioidLaxative TreatmentLaxative Treatment: Participants Receiving Opioids for the Treatment of Pain. Participants will be taken off any laxative preparation they may already be on and will be put on laxative treatment based on the Constipation Treatment Protocol. The dose of laxative will be determined based on their severity of constipation.
Assessment Intervention - OpioidAssessment QuestionnairesLaxative Treatment: Participants Receiving Opioids for the Treatment of Pain. Participants will be taken off any laxative preparation they may already be on and will be put on laxative treatment based on the Constipation Treatment Protocol. The dose of laxative will be determined based on their severity of constipation.
Assessment Intervention - Vinca AlkaloidLaxative TreatmentLaxative Treatment: Participants Receiving a Specific Type of Chemotherapy (vinca alkaloids). Vinca alkaloids include medication such as Vincristine, Vinblastine, or Vinorelbine. Participants will be taken off any laxative preparation they may already be on and will be put on laxative treatment based on the Constipation Treatment Protocol. The dose of laxative will be based on their level of constipation.
Control Group - Vinca AlkaloidAssessment QuestionnairesStandard of Care: Participants Receiving a Specific Type of Chemotherapy (vinca alkaloids). Vinca alkaloids include medication such as Vincristine, Vinblastine, or Vinorelbine. Patients will receive standard of care while participating in weekly assessments. After participation in the study is complete, participants will be offered the same protocol that is given to patients in the treatment groups.
Control Group - OpioidStandard of CareStandard of Care: Participants Receiving Opioids for the Treatment of Pain will receive their usual care at Moffitt while participating in weekly assessments. After participation in the study is complete, participants will be offered the same protocol that is given to patients in the treatment groups.
Control Group - OpioidAssessment QuestionnairesStandard of Care: Participants Receiving Opioids for the Treatment of Pain will receive their usual care at Moffitt while participating in weekly assessments. After participation in the study is complete, participants will be offered the same protocol that is given to patients in the treatment groups.
Assessment Intervention - Vinca AlkaloidAssessment QuestionnairesLaxative Treatment: Participants Receiving a Specific Type of Chemotherapy (vinca alkaloids). Vinca alkaloids include medication such as Vincristine, Vinblastine, or Vinorelbine. Participants will be taken off any laxative preparation they may already be on and will be put on laxative treatment based on the Constipation Treatment Protocol. The dose of laxative will be based on their level of constipation.
Control Group - Vinca AlkaloidStandard of CareStandard of Care: Participants Receiving a Specific Type of Chemotherapy (vinca alkaloids). Vinca alkaloids include medication such as Vincristine, Vinblastine, or Vinorelbine. Patients will receive standard of care while participating in weekly assessments. After participation in the study is complete, participants will be offered the same protocol that is given to patients in the treatment groups.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Phase I - Record Constipation Incidence and Symptoms18 months

To identify the incidence, severity, distress and trajectory of constipation in cancer patients receiving opioids over an eight week period and to evaluate the relationships between constipation intensity and opioid dose.

To identify the incidence, severity, distress and trajectory of constipation in groups of cancer patients who may be at risk due to vinca alkaloids (vincristine. vinblastine. vinorelbine and vindesine) over an eight week period and to evaluate the relationship between constipation intensity and vinca alkaloid dose.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Phase II - Number of Participants With Desired Effect - Patients with Medication-induced Constipation2 years, 3 months

To test the efficacy of a Constipation Treatment Protocol in patients with medication-induced constipation.

Phase II - Best Determination of Laxative Dose - Patients with Medication-induced Constipation2 years, 3 months

To test whether laxative dose is best determined based on on-going assessment or on opioid dose.

To test whether laxative dose is best determined based on on-going assessment or on vinca alkaloid dose.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

🇺🇸

Tampa, Florida, United States

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