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Keratoconjunctivitis SiccaNCT01213342

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements and Dry Eye

A study testing Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Soybean Soft Gels in people with Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, run by Ohio State University at 1 site in United States.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with a decline in inflammation. As dry eye disease is associated with inflammation of the ocular surface (DEWS report, Ocular Surface, 2007), the investigators hypothesize that the omega-3 fatty acid supplements used in this study will help to improve dry eye signs, such as eye… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
What is being tested?
Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Soybean Soft Gels
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
35 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
May 2010to Jul 2011
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Each qualified participant will have an eye doctor's diagnosis of dry eye disease.
  • Answers to both questions: "How often do your eyes feel dry, how often do your eyes feel irritated" will either be "Often or Constant." (Schaumberg)
  • ≥ 18 years of age
  • The current use of artificial tears at least one time per week.
  • Be willing/able to return for all study visits and to follow instructions from the study investigator and his/her staff.
  • Stable dosage for one month time of all ocular medications and systemic medications (includes Restasis).
  • Be able to swallow large, soft gels.

Who cannot join

  • Patients who are allergic to ingredients of the treatment or placebo soft gels (fish, soybean oil, citrus).
  • Current diagnosis of ocular infection (e.g. bacterial, viral or fungal).
  • History of ocular herpetic keratitis.
  • Past or current history of liver disease.
  • Current use of blood thinners.
  • Eye surgery (including cataract surgery) within 6 months prior to randomization.
Show all 19Show fewer
  • Previous LASIK surgery.
  • Pregnant or nursing/lactating.
  • Participation in a study of an investigational drug or device within the past 30 days.
  • Cognitive or psychiatric deficit that precludes informed consent or ability to perform requirements of the investigation.
  • Changes in ocular or systemic medications in the past 30 days.
  • Contact lens wearers.
  • Glaucoma diagnosis and/or use of glaucoma medications.
  • Current use of punctual plugs.
  • Current use of EPA/DHA supplements in excess of 1 gram/day.
  • Use of ocular steroids currently or in the past 7 days.
  • Patients planning on changing dosage of eye medications during the study.
  • Patients who have an allergy to fluorescein.
  • Patients who take aspirin daily.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • The Ohio State University College of Optometry

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Dry Eye

Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with a decline in inflammation. As dry eye disease is associated with inflammation of the ocular surface (DEWS report, Ocular Surface, 2007), the investigators hypothesize that the omega-3 fatty acid supplements used in this study will help to improve dry eye signs, such as eye surface irritation (staining) and tear film osmolarity, which is an overall measure of tear film stability and dry eye status. Further, the investigators hypothesize that dry eye symptoms, the end result of dry eye disease, such as discomfort and burning, will also improve with supplementation.

Read the detailed description

Dry Eye is a disorder of the tear film due to tear deficiency or excessive tear evaporation which causes damage to the exposed ocular surface and is associated with symptoms of ocular discomfort. If left untreated, severe dry eyes can lead to desiccation of the corneal epithelium, increased discomfort and sometimes loss of vision. Abundant evidence from animal models and clinical evaluations confirm that inflammation is an integral part of all moderate and severe Dry Eye Disease (DED) states and is likely to be significant in the pathogenesis leading to the chronicity of DED. Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and inhibit multiple aspects of inflammatory response.

DED is a common and growing problem as our population ages, causing chronic pain and visual disturbance that is not adequately treated with current approaches. If left untreated, severe dry eyes can lead to desiccation of the corneal epithelium, increased discomfort and sometimes loss of vision.The benefits are the possibility of alleviating or eliminating these symptoms of DED and the clinical data that will be gained on the safety and efficacy of omega-3s, which are already being marketed over-the-counter for the treatment of DED without any hard scientific data. The potential benefits of treatment outweigh the minimal risk of participation.

This study hopes to discover more about the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 EFA's in the treatment of dry eye and ocular surface disease.

Being tested
Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Soybean Soft Gels
Keywords
dry eye disease
Medical subject headings
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, Dry Eye Syndromes

What participants receive

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

  • Omega-3 Fatty AcidDietary supplement

    Also called Fish Oil Soft Gels, ProOmega

    Each patient will be instructed to take 4 soft gel capsules per day (2 with the morning meal and 2 with the evening meal). They will continue this regimen for 8 weeks. The total daily amount included in 4 soft gels includes:

    • EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) 1300mg
    • DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) 900 mg
    • Other Omega-3's 360mg
    • Total Omega 3's 2560 mg
  • Soybean Soft GelsDietary supplement

    Also called Placebo Soft Gels

    Each patient will be instructed to take 4 soft gel capsules per day (2 with the morning meal and 2 with the evening meal. The main ingredient in the placebos is soybean oil (95.6%).

Study groups in NCT01213342
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Treatment GroupExperimentalThis group will receive Omega-3 EFA supplements for 8 weeks. They will take 4 capsules/day.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Placebo GroupPlacebo comparatorThis group will receive placebo supplements for 8 weeks. They will take 4 capsules a day.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Soybean Soft Gels

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)

    Based on previous unpublished work by our group (and others), it is suggestive that a 10 unit change in OSDI score may be clinically meaningful. There currently is no accepted survey instrument to monitor change in DED clinical trials, although the OSDI has wide acceptance clinically. This study will help define what unit of change may be clinically and statistically acceptable for future trials.

    Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks into treatment, 8 weeks into treatment

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Changes in Osmolarity (TearLab) value

    The TearLab also has limited use in DED clinical trials. Our best estimate of a clinically meaningful change is 7 mOsm/kg (reported dry eye, 315mOsm/kg - reported normal, 308 mOsm/kg). Again, as this has never been assessed, these results here are pilot in nature.

    Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks

  2. Changes in Staining scores

    Changes in average staining scores (average of 5 corneal regions; 6 conjunctival regions) and sum staining scores will be evaluated.

    Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks

  3. Changes in Tear proteomics

    This portion of the study is exploratory in nature. iTRAQ proteomics using mass spectrometry and RayBiotech quantibody microarrays will be used evaluate changes in inflammatory mediators for future biomarker search and pathway analysis.

    Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks

Timeline

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

  1. First posted4 Oct 2010 (estimated)
  2. Study startMay 2010
  3. Primary completionJul 2011
  4. Study completionJul 2011

Why it stopped: Researchers left institution

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
35 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01213342
Sponsor's protocol ID
2010H0014
Status last verified
Mar 2012
First submitted
30 Sep 2010
Last updated
20 Mar 2012
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Barabino S, Rolando M, Camicione P, Ravera G, Zanardi S, Giuffrida S, Calabria G. Systemic linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid therapy in dry eye syndrome with an inflammatory component. Cornea. 2003 Mar;22(2):97-101. doi: 10.1097/00003226-200303000-00002.

    PubMed 12605039
  • Macri A, Giuffrida S, Amico V, Iester M, Traverso CE. Effect of linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid on tear production, tear clearance and on the ocular surface after photorefractive keratectomy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2003 Jul;241(7):561-566. doi: 10.1007/s00417-003-0685-x. Epub 2003 May 27.

    PubMed 12768289
  • Roncone M, Bartlett H, Eperjesi F. Essential fatty acids for dry eye: A review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2010 Apr;33(2):49-54; quiz 100. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2009.11.002. Epub 2009 Dec 23.

    PubMed 20031476
  • Massi D, Franchi A, Alos L, Cook M, Di Palma S, Enguita AB, Ferrara G, Kazakov DV, Mentzel T, Michal M, Panelos J, Rodriguez-Peralto JL, Santucci M, Tragni G, Zioga A, Dei Tos AP. Primary cutaneous leiomyosarcoma: clinicopathological analysis of 36 cases. Histopathology. 2010 Jan;56(2):251-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2009.03471.x.

    PubMed 20102404
  • Miljanovic B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, Gilbard JP, Buring JE, Schaumberg DA. Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;82(4):887-93. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/82.4.887.

    PubMed 16210721

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Soybean Soft Gels in people with Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, run by Ohio State 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 7 inclusion and 19 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: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Mar 2012. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study was stopped early (reason given: Researchers left institution). Results are not available in the source record.

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?

Change in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) (time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks into treatment, 8 weeks into treatment). 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 NCT01213342, which also lists 5 linked publications.

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 20 Mar 2012.

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