The Clinical Trial of Acupuncture Pre-treatment on PCOS
Condition: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
MeSH terms: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Syndrome
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 3

Summary: 
      This is a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, and controlled trial. In this
      protocol, we present a randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture pretreatment
      followed by letrozole vs letrozole alone in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women with
      anovulatory infertility. The high prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in women with PCOS
      women is considered to be one of the major pathophysiological changes of PCOS, leading to
      anovulatiory infertility. A study has shown that electro-acupuncture could significantly
      improve insulin sensitivity. The effect of acupuncture pretreatment on anovulatory PCOS women
      followed by ovulation induction has not been investigated before. A total of 384 patients
      enrolled in this study will be randomized into one of two groups. The treatment group: a 16
      week acupuncture pretreatment followed by 4 cycles of letrozole and the control group: 4
      cycles of letrozole alone. The primary outcome is the live birth rate. We postulate that
      acupuncture pretreatment followed by letrozole results in a higher live birth rate when
      compared with letrozole alone.
    

Detailed description: 
      1. Study content 1.1 Study design This is a multi-centered, randomized, clinical trial. 1.2
      Subject selection and exclusion

      Initially, 384 PCOS women anovulatory infertility will be recruited from four hospitals in
      mainland China: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the first affiliated hospital
      of Guangzhou Medical University, Department of Gynecology in Xuzhou maternity & child health
      hospital, Department of Reproduction in Dalian Municipal Women and Children's Medical Center,
      and Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hexian memorial affiliated hospital of
      Southern Medical University if they meet the inclusion criteria and do not have the exclusion
      criteria. Eligible subjects will be approached and sign the consent form after detailed
      explanation and counseling. Recruited subjects will be randomized to one of two groups:

      Treatment group: a 16 week acupuncture pre-treatment followed by LE and Control group: LE
      alone 1.3 Screening visit 1.3.1 Obtain signed informed consent 1.3.2 Complete physical
      examination Perform complete physical examination including height, weight, hip and waist
      measurement. Height and weight will be recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm and 0.1 kg
      respectively. Waist and hip circumference will be recorded to the nearest 1 cm. And
      assessment of hirsutism by Ferriamn Gallwey score (FG), acne standard acne lesion counts, and
      pelvic exam with Pap smear or TCT.

      1.3.3 Perform transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries

        1. Uterus, including the uterine dimensions, endometrial thickness and echo type, other
           uterine abnormalities, presence and size of leiomyoma will be obtained through
           transvaginal ultrasound.

        2. Ovaries, including the ovarian size in three dimensions, the size of the largest ovarian
           follicle/cyst and size of every follicle with a mean diameter greater than 10 mm, and
           total antral follicle (small follicles with mean diameter < 10 mm) count of each ovary
           will be obtained through transvaginal ultrasound.

      1.3.4 Check urine pregnancy test 1.3.5 Laboratory Examination

        1. Serum levels of sex hormone steroids including blood follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),
           luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), prolactin (PRL) and T, free testosterone, sex
           hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) will be evaluated
           on the second day of the spontaneous period or a withdrawal bleeding.

        2. Fasting blood was taken to determine the examination of metabolic and safety profile,
           including fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide, HbA1c, triglycerides, total
           cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), CBC,
           Renal, and Liver Profile.

        3. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75 g glucose will be performed in all
           subjects after an overnight fast. Blood samples will be obtained to measure plasma
           glucose and serum insulin at 0, 60, and 120 min during the OGTT.

      1.3.6 Complete questionnaires Quality of life will be assessed by the short form 36(SF-36),
      the Chinese Quality of Life (ChiQOL), sleeping questionnaires and the Polycystic Ovary
      Syndrome Questionnaire (PCOS-QOL). Investigators will also assess symptoms of anxiety and
      depression by the Zung SAS and Zung SDS questionnaires. And complete the quantization table
      of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes about PCOS.

      1.3.7 Exclusion of other infertility factors of the couple The semen analysis of the husband
      and tubal patency of the patient will be assessed.

      1.3.8 Preconception counseling Complete the questionnaire of risk factors for genetic
      disorders, TORCH screening (Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalo Virus, and Herpes Virus) and
      HIV screening, and folic acid prescription.

      1.3.9 Progestin withdrawal Provide progestin prescription to induce withdrawal bleed, with
      instructions to begin medication once eligibility is determined.

      1.4 Baseline visit 1.4.1 Distribute home pregnancy test 1.4.2 Distribute folate 1.4.3
      Distribute intercourse and menstrual journal logs 1.4.4 Take blood sample for repository and
      DNA Collect 20ml blood, and distributed store 10ml blood after serum separation. Other 10ml
      blood is for determination of DNA.

      1.5 Intervention arms

      Eligible patients will be randomized into one of the two arms:

      Treatment group: i.e. a 16 week acupuncture pretreatment followed by LE. Acupuncture
      treatment will start on day 3-5 after a spontaneous period or after a withdrawal bleeding
      following progestin. All subjects will be requested to use contraception during the 16 week
      acupuncture pretreatment. They will receive acupuncture treatment three times a week. Each
      treatment session lasts for 30 minutes and can be separated by an interval of 1-3 days, with
      a maximum of 48 treatment sessions during 16 weeks. After 16 weeks of acupuncture treatment,
      LE will start on day 2-3 after a spontaneous period or after a withdrawal bleeding after
      progestin administration. The subjects will be instructed to have intercourse on a regular
      basis during the cycles.

      Control group: i.e. LE alone. LE will be started on day 3-5 after a spontaneous period or a
      withdrawal bleeding following progestin. The subjects will be instructed to have intercourse
      on a regular basis during the cycles.

      1.5.1 Acupuncture protocol Investigators base the rationale of acupuncture protocols on
      Western Medical theories and the study protocol follows the CONSORT and STRICTA
      recommendations with detailed descriptions of the treatment including number of needle used,
      how needles will be stimulated (manual, electrical), frequency of sessions, and length of
      treatment period. Investigators will use fixed acupuncture protocols.

      Disposable, single-use, sterilized needles made of stainless steel, 0.25 x 30 mm and 0.30 x
      40/50 mm (Hwoto, Suzhou Medical Appliance Fact. 215005 Suzhou, China) will be inserted to a
      depth of 15-35 mm in segmental acupuncture points located in abdominal and leg muscles with
      innervations corresponding to the ovaries. Two sets of acupuncture points will be alternated
      every second treatment. The first set consists of conception vessel (CV) 3, CV 12, and
      stomach (ST) 29 bilaterally and in the muscles above the knee, ST 34, and ST 33 bilaterally
      and below the knee, spleen (SP) 6 and ST 36. Needles will also be placed in extra segmental
      acupuncture points that do not innervate the ovaries large intestine (LI) 4 bilaterally. In
      total 14 needles will be placed and all will be stimulated manually by rotating the needle to
      evoke needle sensation (de qi) once when inserted. The following points will be connected to
      an electrical stimulator (Export Abteilung, Schwa-Medico GmbH, Wetzlarer Str. 41-43; 35630
      Ehringshausen): CV 3 to CV 12, ST 29 bilateral, and ST34 to ST 33 bilateral. Stimulation are
      given as low-frequency EA of 2Hz, 0.3 ms pulse length and with an intensity adjusted to
      produce local muscle contractions without pain or discomfort. Needles not connected to the
      electrical stimulator will be manually stimulated to evoke needle sensation every 10 min, in
      total 4 times. The second set consists of 14 needles placed in segmental abdominal points and
      stimulated electrically: ST 27 bilaterally, CV6 connected to CV10; and leg points: SP10
      connected to a non-acupuncture point located 6 cun proximal of patellas medial border
      (electrical stimulation), and SP 6 and liver (LR) 3 bilaterally (manual stimulation). Extra
      segmental points are pericardium (PC) 6 bilaterally (manual stimulation).

      1.5.2 Needle insertion technique Needle insertion should be gentle. Tighten the skin by
      pressing around the area of needle insertion and gently insert the needle. Don't do it too
      quickly, be gentle.

      1.5.3 Needles and stimulation Needles are for single use. Needle size: 0.25x30 mm or 0.30 x
      40 or 0.30 x 50 mm. Select needle length with respect to the patients BMI. If the patient has
      a low BMI and is thin use the 0.25 x 30 mm needle. If the patient is overweight, use the 0.30
      x 40 mm needles. Obese patients, use needle with the size 0.30 x 50 or 75 mm. Depth of
      insertion may vary from patient to patient. They should be placed with a depth deep enough to
      reach muscle/fibrous tissue. When needle are inserted, stimulate the needle gently until de
      qi (needle sensation reflecting activation of sensory afferents). As soon as de qi has been
      reached, make sure that the needle doesn't hurt or cause any pain and discomfort.

      Attach the electrodes according to the protocol. Turn on the stimulator (program 10) and
      increase the intensity. Instructions to the patient: "As high as possible but with no pain or
      discomfort". Don't start with too intensive stimulation. After 10 minutes, stimulate needles
      without electricity and ask if the intensity of the electrical stimulation is ok, or if it
      should be increased/decreased. Repeat after 20 minutes and again after 30 minutes. Turn off
      the stimulator and release the patient.

      1.5.4 Acupuncture treatment

        1. Record time of the day and acupuncturist name when the patient receives acupuncture.

        2. Note the intensity of stimulation (mA). It may vary between the different electrodes.
           Note the range e.g. 1.2 - 3.0 mA.

        3. Note any other events that may affect the treatment (positive or negative).

        4. Note concomitant medications.

        5. Collect menstrual and intercourse journal logs at the end of every cycle.

        6. Check urine pregnancy test before each acupuncture treatment. If pregnancy test is
           positive, no acupuncture treatment should be performed.

      1.5.5 Letrozole After 16 weeks of acupuncture pretreatment, which the patients in the
      intervention group and the patients in the control group will receive LE (Femara, Novartis
      Pharmaceuticals), starting from 2.5mg daily from day 2-3 for 5 days after a withdrawal
      bleeding. Participants are treated for up to 4 cycles. If the patient is pregnant, the
      treatment should be stopped.

      If there is evidence of ovulation (i.e. serum progesterone level on the 3th week was higher
      than 3 ng/mL) or delayed one week, this dose will be maintained. In patients with no
      ovulatory response, the dose will be increased to LE 5mg a day for five days until LE 7.5 mg
      per day for five days will be reached. The same LE dose will be continued in the next cycle
      if the patients are shown to be ovulating. And the maximum daily dose of LE is 7.5 mg (three
      pills) daily.

      1.6 Monitoring and examination during the treatment And all subjects will be instructed to
      have intercourse on a regular basis during the entire study period. The optimal frequency
      will be once every 2-3 days. Urine pregnancy test will be checked before each acupuncture
      treatment of ovulation. And serum progesterone level test will be checked in the local lab at
      day on the 3th week of the first cycle and every week of the last three cycles.

      The transvaginal ultrasound exam will take place in the anticipated luteal phase of the
      cycle, and initially will be scheduled 3 weeks after the initiation of medication, with a
      window of 4 days on either side of this day (i.e. Day 17-25, assuming a Day 3 medication
      start, or Day 19-27, assuming a Day 5 start). The ultrasound includes the endometrial
      thickness and echogenicity, as well as the number, size, and echogenic characteristics of
      follicles/cysts on the ovary (including an antral follicle count).

      Investigators can decide whether the patients have the ovulation respond based on the results
      of serum progesterone level and transvaginal ultrasound. There will be three possible
      scenarios: ovulation, ovulation delay and non-ovulation. 1) Ovulation, i.e. serum
      progesterone level on the 3th week was higher than 3 ng/mL, and ultrasound may provide
      presumptive evidence of ovulation. Check urine pregnancy test to exclude pregnancy and start
      with LE tablet on day 3-5 of menstruation, and the dose of which will be maintained; 2)
      Ovulation delay, P<3 ng/mL, but the ultrasound will show there is evidence of follicular
      development, (i.e. a follicle with a mean diameter ≥12 mm). Investigators can wait for one
      more week and continue the acupuncture treatment. Check urine pregnancy test to exclude
      pregnancy and start with LE tablet on day 3-5 of menstruation, and the dose of which will be
      maintained; 3) Non-ovulation, P<3 ng/mL, and the ultrasound will not found any follicle with
      a mean diameter ≥12 mm. The patient will also receive LE tablet on day 3-5 of her cycle, and
      she will be instructed to increase her study drug by one tablet per day for five days.

      Every menstruation should be detailed recorded, including the date, volume and duration of
      menstruation.

      1.7 End of pre-treatment visit

      1) Repeat OGTT. 2) Collect menstrual journal logs. 1.8 Pregnancy visit(only with conception)

        1. Complete adverse event query.

        2. Take blood for serum quantitative hCG levels until the ultrasound can observe the
           gestational sacs (1500-2000IU/ml).

        3. Perform transvaginal ultrasound for the number of gestational sacs, location,
           dimensions, presence and size of fetal parts, and documentation of visualization of
           fetal heart motion, documentation of any pregnancy related abnormalities when hCG levels
           or clinical manifestations appear as pregnancy.

      1.9 End of treatment visit

        1. Perform physical examination, including vital signs, height, weight, hip and waist
           measurements as well as repeating hirsutism and acne assessments after the end of
           treatment or pregnancy.

        2. Repeat the serum levels of sex hormone steroids and metabolic profile.

        3. Repeat OGTT.

        4. Collect 20ml blood, and distributed store 10ml blood after serum separation. Other 10ml
           blood is for determination of DNA.

        5. Repeat QOL, sleeping, anxiety/depression questionnaires, and the quantization table of
           TCM.

        6. Collect menstrual and intercourse journal logs.

        7. Record adverse events and concomitant medications.

        8. Arrange follow up for subjects who have conceived and obtain release of records for
           pregnancy and neonatal records.

      1.10 Follow up visit For those women who have an ongoing pregnancy, arrangements will be made
      to follow the outcome of the pregnancy at the end of first trimester and also after delivery
      or termination of gestation. All pregnancies (including multiples) will be followed to
      monitor the weight, glucose tolerance, blood pressure and fetal growth and to determine the
      abortion rate, complication rates and pregnancy outcomes. The glucose tolerance will be test
      by glucose screening test with 75 g glucose performed in all pregnancies at 24-28 weeks of
      pregnancy. Patients will be informed to notify study personnel of the outcome of the
      pregnancy and investigators will obtain release of record forms from treating physicians to
      obtain copies of relevant medical records. Delivery records of both mother and newborn will
      be requested to determine the birth weight, length of gestation, and any prenatal
      complication of mother or neonatal complication of the infant. Phone contacts will be
      initiated if the patient has not contacted study personnel by six weeks beyond the original
      estimated date of confinement.

      And investigators will collect pregnancy outcome data. Investigators will track the outcomes
      of all subjects who have a positive serum pregnancy screen during the course of this study.
      Investigators will record biochemical pregnancies (defined as positive serum pregnancy
      screens without ultrasonically detected pregnancies), ectopic pregnancies, and all
      intrauterine pregnancy losses both before and after 20 weeks including missed abortions,
      spontaneous abortions, elective abortions, fetal demises, and stillbirths. Investigators will
      review pregnancy and birth records of the mother and of the fetus to establish neonatal
      morbidity and mortality and the presence of fetal anomalies. Investigators will extract from
      these records concomitant medical and obstetrical conditions, exposure information on all
      other medical products used, including prescription products, over-the-counter (OTC)
      products, dietary supplements, vaccines, and insertable or implantable medical devices.
      Investigators will file individual case reports for all congenital anomalies, which will be
      considered a serious adverse event.

      1.11 Safety analysis Adverse events will be categorized and percentage of patients
      experiencing adverse events and serious adverse events during the treatment period will be
      documented. Chi-square tests will be performed to examine differences in the proportion of
      total and categories of adverse events.

      1.12 Statistical tests One sample of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test will be used to test the
      normal distribution of continuous variables. Continuous variables will be shown as means ±
      standard deviations if they are normally distributed or as medians with interquartile ranges
      if they are not normally distributed. Statistical comparison will be carried out according to
      the intention to treat by Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Wilcoxon signed ranks
      test for continuous variables and by χ2 tests for categorical variables where appropriate.
      All statistical analyses of the data will be performed using the SPSS program version 21.0
      (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and a P-value < 0.05 will be considered statistically
      significant.
    

Intervention name(s): Pre-treatment acupuncture; Letrozole
Intervention type(s): Other; Drug
Intervention description(s): Acupuncture treatment will start on day 3-5 after a spontaneous period or after a withdrawal bleeding following progestin. They will receive acupuncture treatment three times a week. Each treatment session lasts for 30 minutes and can be separated by an interval of 1-3 days, with a maximum of 48 treatment sessions during 16 weeks.; Starting from 2.5mg daily from day 3-5 for 5 days after a spontaneous period or after a withdrawal bleeding following progestin, one time per day.Participants are treated for up to 4 cycles.
Other intervention name(s): Pretreatment; Letrozole(Femara, Novartis Pharmaceuticals)
Intervention MeSH terms: Letrozole
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: polycystic ovary syndrome; acupuncture; pre-treatment; Letrozole; Live Birth