Phase II Study of Lactulose and Circadian Rhythms in Patients With Cirrhosis

Phase 2

Completed

• Conditions: Portal Hypertension; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Cirrhosis

• Registration Number: NCT00004796
• Lead Sponsor: National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

Brief Summary

OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the effect of lactulose on the circadian rhythm of plasma melatonin in patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.

II. Assess the intrasubject variability of circadian melatonin levels and neuropsychological tests.

III. Assess which elements of the neuropsychological test battery show the response to lactulose.

Detailed Description

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: Patients are alternately assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: no therapy for 3 weeks followed by lactulose for 3 weeks versus lactulose for 3 weeks followed by no therapy for 3 weeks.

A dietician advises patients on a 1 g/kg per day protein diet. The lactulose dose is adjusted to result in 2 or 3 loose bowel movements per day.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 1994-11
• Study Completion: 1997-02
• Status Verified: 1998-02
• Study First Submitted: 2000-02-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2000-02-24
• Study First Posted: 2000-02-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2005-06-23
• Last Update Posted: 2005-06-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 16

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified