Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Different Dosages of Cortisone Compared to Placebo in Rheumatoid Arthritis (CORRA)

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. H.J. Trampisch

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatments: Drug: Prednisolone; Drug: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02000336

01KG1204

2012-004074-25 (EudraCT Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Although cortisone is widely used in the treatment of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, the best dosage is not known. Therefore we will compare two standard prednisolon starting dosages and placebo in the treatment of patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis on the background of the established therapy with methotrexate. In total 450 patients will be included into the study. Two different treatment arms starting with 10 or 60 mg of prednisolone, and one placebo arm. Duration of intervention is 12 weeks. In parallel, all patients start medication with methotrexate, usual dosage 15 mg/week. Primary efficacy endpoint is progression of radiographic damage after one year compared to baseline. Safety monitoring is performed.

Full description

BACKGROUND: Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used in the treatment of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the best dosage for GCs, related to both, efficacy and safety, is not known.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two standard p.o. GC starting dosages and the non-use of GCs in the treatment of patients with early active RA on the background of the established 'anchor' therapy with methotrexate (MTX).

METHODS: Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial with two treatment arms (starting with 10 or 60 mg of p.o. prednisolone (P), tapered down to 5 mg P per day within 8 weeks) and one placebo arm, each arm comprising 150 patients. Duration of intervention is 12 weeks. In parallel, all patients start medication with MTX, usual dosage 15 mg/week. Primary efficacy endpoint is progression of radiographic damage after one year compared to baseline. Secondary endpoints are: percentage of patients in remission, changes of functional capacity etc. Safety monitoring is performed.

The analysis is performed in three hierarchical steps. First step is an analysis of covariance to compare the group with an initial P dosage of 60 mg (V60) and the placebo group (Pl). In case of a statistical significant result (α = 0.05), a comparison of the group starting with 10 mg P (V10) and Pl will be done in a second step (α = 0.05). In case of superiority of V10 versus Pl, a third step will be a non-inferiority test for V10 versus V60 (α = 0.025).

Enrollment: 395 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis based on expert opinion according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2009 criteria (Hawker 2009)
• disease duration < 3 years
• active disease: disease activity score (DAS) 28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (Prevoo et al 1995) > 4 plus ≥ 3 swollen joints

Exclusion criteria

• Prior treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (except for hydroxychloroquine or sulfasalazine or methotrexate during the last four weeks before screening)
• Clinically relevant comorbidity:
• concurrent liver disease (ALT > 2 times upper limit of normal),
• active hepatitis B or C viral infection,
• renal disease (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/minute),
• clinically relevant haematological disease due to the judgement of the rheumatologist,
• uncontrolled diabetes mellitus,
• uncontrolled arterial hypertension,
• relevant immunodeficiency incl. HIV-infection,
• clinically significant pulmonary fibrosis,
• history of malignant melanoma,
• complicated or refractory gastrointestinal ulcers,
• presence or history of severe infections,
• uncontrolled increased intraocular pressure,
• pregnancy or planned pregnancy,
• non-compliance,
• age < 18 years

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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395 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Prednisolone 10

Experimental group

Description:

Prednihexal (Prednisolon), daily oral tablet, 10 mg during week one to four, 7,5 mg during week five to eight. Finally 5 mg for four weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Prednisolone

Prednisolone 60

Experimental group

Description:

Prednihexal (Prednisolon), daily oral tablet, 60 mg during the first week, weekly tapering: 40 mg, 20mg, 15mg, 10mg, 7,5mg. 7,5mg continued for one more week. Finally 5 mg for four weeks

Treatment:

Drug: Prednisolone

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

daily oral tablet

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo