Iatrogenic Cushing Disease Clinical Trial
Official title:
Prevention of Metabolic Complications of Glucocorticoid Excess - a Randomised, Doubleblind,Placebo Controlled Study
According to current estimates, nearly 1% of the general population is treated with long-term glucocorticoids. Chronic hypercortisolism leads to a phenotype that resembles the metabolic syndrome. The investigators have shown that inhibition of adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in adipose tissue plays a role in corticosteroid-mediated insulin resistance. Metformin, one of the mainstay therapies for type 2 diabetes, is a known activator of AMPK, which mediates its beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The investigators have shown in an animal model that metformin - via altering AMPK activity - prevents the development of the metabolic complications of glucocorticoid excess, and the investigators wish to confirm this in a human study. The aim of this prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to investigate the effect of metformin treatment on metabolic parameters in patients on long-term high-dose glucocorticoids. The study is part of the investigators translational project and could rapidly lead to immediate patient benefit, improving quality of life and reducing health care costs for the NHS.
2 Study Aims and Objectives To investigate the effect of metformin treatment on metabolic
parameters in patients with long-term high dose GCs.
3 Study Design 3.1 General Design We will recruit patients (18-75y) requiring glucocorticoid
treatment for various inflammatory conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell
arteritis/polymyalgia rheumatic, asthma, sarcoidosis) into a pilot, randomised, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial. These patients will be treated with metformin to prevent or reverse
their metabolic complications. Prevention algorithm: Patients who are about to start GC
treatment predictably for ≥12w at a ≥10mg/d prednisolone (or equivalent) dose who consent to
participate in this study will be randomly assigned to receive either placebo (20
patients/group, see power calculations) or metformin at the maximum tolerated dose with a
minimum of 850 mg bd for 12w. Treatment algorithm: Consenting patients already on long-term
GC treatment (≥4w, ≥20mg/d prednisolone or equivalent) who are expected to continue for at
least 12w at ≥10mg/d prednisolone will be randomly assigned to receive either placebo or
metformin for 12w. In both algorithms, metformin treatment will be started gradually (as
standard practice) to avoid gastrointestinal side effects and the full dose will be reached
by day 10. Patients will have a full clinical assessment before the start of the metformin
treatment and at the end of the 12w treatment period. Anthropometric and biochemical
parameters and questionnaires will be repeated at 4 and 8 weeks.
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