evaluation of pku sphere in italy

Conditions: Phenylketonurias; PKU

Summary: 20 participants with pku will build-up their dietary intake of pku sphere over 2-16 weeks, depending on their level of metabolic control whilst doing so. participants will complete a gastrointestinal specific and pku specific questionnaire at the baseline clinic visit and record the amount of pku sphere taken each day. dried blood spots are taken twice per week. once built up to a clinically appropriate intake of pku sphere, or after 16 weeks, participants enter a 4-week evaluation period. the amount of pku sphere taken per day continues to be recorded by participants. gastrointestinal tolerance over the preceding seven days is recorded at the end of each week. evaluations of pku sphere's palatability are made at the end of weeks two and four of the evaluation period. dried blood spots are taken once per week. the participant attends an end of study visit at the clinic and the investigator decides whether they should continue taking pku sphere.

20 participants with phenylketonuria (pku) will introduce pku sphere into their diet. pku sphere is a food for special medical purposes (as defined by regulation (eu) no 609/2013 on food for specific groups), used for the dietary management of phenylketonuria from 3 years of age. the study begins with a baseline clinic visit. informed consent is taken by the investigator before the participant completes a pku specific quality of life questionnaire, and a gi specific questionnaire. the participant takes a dried blood spot in order for the investigator to check their technique is correct. build-up and stabilisation period. this will last between 2 and 16 weeks, depending on how long the participant takes to reach their maximum recommended intake of pku sphere. participants will take a dried blood spot twice per week in order for their health care professional to monitor their phenylalanine and tyrosine levels. after three consecutive dried blood spot results within the target range, the participant's hcp can advise to swap one portion of amino acid-based protein substitute for pku sphere. this method of building up the amount of pku sphere to be taken is informed directly by vitaflo's 'practical guide to pku sphere'. the amount of pku sphere taken each day is recorded by the participant in their study diary. once the maximum recommended amount of pku sphere is being taken by the participant, or after 16 weeks, the participant moves into the four-week evaluation period. participants then take a dried blood spot once per week, but continue to record their intake of pku sphere each day. at the end of each evaluation period week, participants record any gastrointestinal symptoms experienced over the preceding seven days. at the end of evaluation period weeks two and four, participants will also record their thoughts on pku sphere's palatability. this includes a likert scale rating of the product's appearance, taste, aftertaste, smell, texture, packaging and ease of use. at the end of the evaluation period, participants return to the clinic for the end of study visit. the pku and gi specific questionnaires completed at baseline are repeated and the investigator discusses the suitability of the participant to continue to take pku sphere as part of their regular therapeutic diet. following the visit, the investigator rates the utility of the practical guide to pku sphere. a follow-up phone call will relay the results of any outstanding dried blood spot results to participants following their end of study visit.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * patients diagnosed with pku or hyperphenylalaninemia via new born screening and early treated, requiring \>50% of protein intake from protein substitute. * aged 3 years and above. * female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test prior to completing the screening procedures. * willingly given, written, informed consent from the participant, 18 or more years, or from the parent/guardian for participants \< 18 years. * willingly given, written assent (if appropriate) for those \< 18 years. exclusion criteria: * pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. * intake of sapropterin dihydrochloride (kuvan), peg pal or large neutral amino acids within 30 days prior to screening visit. * patients currently taking their maximum recommended amount of protein substitute from a gmp based protein substitute. * patients who are unable/unwilling to replace their current gmp protein substitute (if any) with pku sphere. * patients with known soya, milk or fish allergies / intolerance. * individuals, who in the opinion of the investigator, are unable to comply with the requirements of the protocol. * any co-morbidity, which in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participation in the study. * patients who are currently participating in, plan to participate in, or have participated in an interventional investigational drug, food or medical device trial within 30 days prior to screening visit.

Keywords: phenylketonuria pku glycomacropeptide food for special medical purposes