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Metabolic Syndrome XPhase 4NCT00205504

Oral Contraceptives in the Metabolic Syndrome

A Phase 4 study testing Ortho Tri Cyclen in people with Metabolic Syndrome X and Insulin Resistance, run by Virginia Commonwealth University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most widely used method of reversible birth control. However, the long-term cardiovascular safety of the widely used low-dose OCs (ethinyl-estradiol < 50 mcg) is still debated. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Metabolic Syndrome X, Insulin Resistance, Obesity
What is being tested?
Ortho Tri Cyclen
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
46 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Jun 2005to Jun 2009
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Acceptable health based on interview, medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests (comprehensive metabolic panel - SMA20, and complete blood count - CBC);
  • Have not taken oral contraceptives (OCs) in the past 3 months;
  • Ability to comply with the requirements of the study;
  • Ability and willingness to provide signed, witnessed informed consent. In addition, women with the metabolic syndrome must meet the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) defined criteria of the metabolic syndrome, that is, having at least 3 of the 5 factors:
  • increased waist circumference > 35 inches,
  • hypertriglyceridemia ≥ 150 mg/dL,
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  • low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol < 50 mg/dL in women,
  • hypertension (≥ 130/≥ 85 mmHg),
  • fasting glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL.
  • Obese women with or without the metabolic syndrome should have a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2 and lean women should have a Body Mass Index BMI < 25 kg/m2.

Who cannot join

  • Diabetes mellitus by fasting glucose or a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT);
  • Clinically significant pulmonary, cardiac (including but not limited to ischemic heart disease, stable/unstable angina, and congestive heart failure), renal, hepatic, cholestatic, neurologic, psychiatric, infectious, and malignant disease (other than melanoma skin cancer);
  • History of thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, vascular disease, known coagulopathy, prolonged immobilization, or recent major surgery (within past 6 months);
  • Systolic blood pressure greater than 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg (mild hypertension is not an exclusion criterion);
  • History of breast cancer, migraine headaches, or age ≥ 35 years and smoker of ≥ 20 cigarettes/day;
  • Use of metformin, thiazolidinediones, anti-hyperlipidemic drugs, anti-hypertensive drugs, glucocorticoids, or anti-androgens (spironolactone, flutamide, etc.) within 3 months;
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  • Documented or suspected illicit drug abuse or alcoholism within one year;
  • Ingestion of any investigational drugs within 3 months prior to the study onset; and
  • Pregnancy or lactation (≤ 6 weeks postpartum);
  • Hematocrit < 33g/dL. These exclusion criteria are based on study requirements and also go beyond guidelines for OC use published by the World Health Organization.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Virginia Commonwealth University General Clinical Research Center

    Richmond, Virginia, 23298

Other trials in United States

About this study

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most widely used method of reversible birth control. However, the long-term cardiovascular safety of the widely used low-dose OCs (ethinyl-estradiol < 50 mcg) is still debated. Although cardiovascular events are rare in young women whether they use OCs or not, the risks of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke are increased among users of OCs who have conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as use of tobacco, diabetes or hypercholesterolemia. However, the risk of cardiovascular events in OC users with emerging cardiovascular risk factors (such as obesity and the metabolic syndrome) have not been investigated. Recently, the metabolic syndrome has been linked with the risk of cardiovascular disease. The syndrome is a clustering of risk factors in a single individual, and its underlying cause may be insulin resistance. Whether the metabolic syndrome predicts a higher cardiovascular risk in OC users has not been studied. This is a critical problem because the metabolic syndrome is prevalent in 24% of adults. Until the cardiovascular risks in users of OC are clearly defined, the appropriate use of OC with the least harm would not be possible.

The investigator's long-term goal is to understand the best way to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in women. The objective of this particular project is to obtain pilot data on the extent to which the metabolic syndrome and obesity affects glucose metabolism and cardiovascular risks in women taking OCs. The researchers hypothesize that women with metabolic syndrome and obese women will have worsened glucose metabolism and elevated cardiovascular risks associated with OC use, when compared to normal weight women without the metabolic syndrome. Results of this study will clarify the risk factors for cardiovascular events in women taking OCs, and will serve as pilot data for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposal. Once the cardiovascular risk factors of OC users are understood, clinicians can make better informed decisions about contraceptive choices for their patients.

Being tested
Ortho Tri Cyclen
Keywords
Inflammatory markers, oral contraceptions, obesity, metabolic syndrome X
Medical subject headings
Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Cardiovascular Diseases

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Ortho Tri CyclenDrug

    Ortho Tri Cyclen, one tablet daily, for 6 cycles

Study groups in NCT00205504
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Obese women with metabolic syndromeActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Ortho Tri Cyclen
Obese women without metabolic syndromeActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Ortho Tri Cyclen
lean women without metabolic syndromeActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Ortho Tri Cyclen

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in Insulin Sensitivity Associated With Oral Contraceptive (OC) Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Insulin sensitivity was assessed by frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT).

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

Secondary outcomes (9)
  1. Changes in Lipid Profile Compared Associated With OC Use Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    The lipid profile is assessed through blood sample analysis for low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  2. Inflammatory Marker Changes, High Sensitive C-reactive Protein (Hs-CRP) and Adiponectin, Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Inflammatory markers are assessed through blood analysis for C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and adiponectin.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  3. Changes in Estrogen Metabolites (Plasma) Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  4. Changes in Waist-to-Hip Ratio Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Waist-to-hip ratio is assessed through calculated ratio of waist and hip circumference.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  5. Inflammatory Marker Changes (MCP-1) Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Inflammatory marker is assessed through blood analysis for Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1).

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  6. Changes in Blood Pressure Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  7. Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Body Mass Index is a calculation of height and weight: kg/m²

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  8. Changes in Waist Circumference Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  9. Inflammatory Marker Changes, Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (sVCAM) and Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (sICAM), Associated With OC Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women

    These inflammatory markers are assessed through blood analysis of Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (sVCAM) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM).

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Sep 2005 (estimated)
  2. Study startJun 2005
  3. Primary completionJun 2009
  4. Study completionJun 2009

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
46 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00205504
Sponsor's protocol ID
HM4060
Status last verified
Jul 2018
First submitted
13 Sep 2005
Last updated
8 Aug 2018

Publications

  • Cheang KI, Essah PA, Sharma S, Wickham EP 3rd, Nestler JE. Divergent effects of a combined hormonal oral contraceptive on insulin sensitivity in lean versus obese women. Fertil Steril. 2011 Aug;96(2):353-359.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.039. Epub 2011 Jun 15.

    PubMed 21676394

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Ortho Tri Cyclen in people with Metabolic Syndrome X and Insulin Resistance, run by Virginia Commonwealth University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Aug 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 7 May 2012). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in Insulin Sensitivity Associated With Oral Contraceptive (OC) Use Compared Among (1) Obese Women and (2) Lean Women (time frame: Baseline and 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00205504, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Aug 2018.

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