Clinical trial NCT03313076
Conditions: Chronic Pain Following Thermal Burn Injury
Keywords: burn injury thermal burn injury omega 3 fatty acids vitamin D fish oil chronic pain chronic pain due to trauma
Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Start date: 2018-07-19; Completion date: 2020-07-31
Enrollment: 24 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: FACTORIAL

Brief summary:
The goal of this study is to develop a safe, effective, and readily available treatment that will prevent chronic pain following Major Thermal Burn Injury (MThBI). Burn survivors are prone to develop chronic pain and there is an urgent unmet need for preventative treatments. The preventative treatments proposed for this study, Omega-3 Fatty Acids (O3FA) and Vitamin D have been selected given effectiveness across a range of painful musculoskeletal disorders and their wide availability and low cost. This study is a 2x2 factorial, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial test for the effectiveness of O3FA and Vitamin D to prevent chronic pain development. Burn survivors will be enrolled who have experienced thermal burns that cover less than 30% total body surface area that are severe enough to warrant surgical management, which represents the most common burn injury characteristics. Patients will be enrolled within 72 hours of their burn, and randomized via 1:1:1:1 allocation to receive placebo, O3FA, Vitamin D or both. The investigators will obtain blood samples on enrollment and at 6 weeks to assist in elucidating key mechanisms by which O3FA and Vitamin D reduce chronic pain following MThBI. Chronic pain severity, assessed with a 0-10 numeric rating scale at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year will be entered into a repeated-measures model. Model estimated contrasts will serve as the primary outcome.

Detailed description:
Patients will be screened daily. Patients who meet eligibility criteria will be approached for participation. Patients interested in participating will proceed through informed consent. Once informed consent is obtained, an initial questionnaire will be administered, a blood draw will be performed to assess for baseline Vitamin D/O3FA concentration and immune profile. Then patients will be randomized into one of 4 treatment arms in 1:1:1:1 allocation. Patients will receive study drug for 6 weeks following burn injury. Adverse event monitoring will occur daily while inpatient and weekly once discharged from the hospital through 6 weeks. Patient compliance with the study drug will be assessed via patient-reported reported missing doses, pill counts at the end of the study, and a 6-week blood draw in which Vitamin D/O3FA levels and immune profile will be assessed. Patient-reported outcomes will be collected via follow-up survey at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following burn injury.s, and 1 year following burn injury.

Arms: arm 1: 4g fish oil in 4 softgels (n-3 PUFA/O3FA) + 2000 IU Vitamin D3 in 1 capsule arm 2: 4g of corn/soy oil blend in 4 softgels + 2000 IU Vitamin D3 in 1 capsule arm 3: 4g fish oil in 4 softgels (n-3 PUFA/O3FA) + Vitamin D3 matching Placebo, an inert white powder placebo in 1 capsule arm 4: 4g n-3 PUFA/O3FA Matching Placebo, a corn/soy oil blend in 4 softgels + inert white powder Vitamin D3 matching placebo in 1 capsule
Interventions: intervention 1: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) intervention 2: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) intervention 3: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) placebo intervention 4: Omega-3 fatty acid placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 4 capsules comprising approximately 2 grams of Eicosapentaenoic acid/Docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA) in a 3:2 ratio (this will require a total dose of 4 grams of fish oil). This will be administered daily, by mouth for 6 weeks intervention 2: 1 capsule containing 2000 IU of Vitamin D3. This will be administered daily, by mouth for 6 weeks following enrollment. intervention 3: 1 capsule containing inert substance. This will be administered daily, by mouth for 6 weeks following enrollment. intervention 4: 4g of corn/soy oil blend in 4 softgels. This will be administered daily, by mouth for 6 weeks following enrollment.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
 
CONFIDENTIAL 
 
Vitamin D and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) to 
Prevent Chronic Pain Following Major Thermal Burn Injury 
 
 
NCT number NCT 03313076 
Document Date 4/28/2021 
 
 
 


Fish oil and Vitamin D in the prevention of chronic pain following thermal burn injury 
 
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List of Abbreviations  
 
n-3 PUFA: n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid 
EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid 
DHA: Docosahexaenoic acid 
g: grams 
IU: international units 
FDA: Food and Drug Administration 
MThBI: Major Thermal Burn Injury 
RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial 
SF-12: short form 12 item questionnaire 
TBSA: total body surface area 
UNC: University of North Carolina 
GFR: glomerular filtration rate 
IDS: investigational drug services 
MAR: medication administration record 
NRS: numeric rating scale 
MCS: mental component score 
PCS: physical component score 
PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder 
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid 
RNA: ribonucleic acid 
Cc: cubic centimeters 
PT: physical therapy 
OT: occupational therapy 
RPS: regional pain scale 
DASS: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 
MOS: medical outcomes survey 
UPLC/ESI/MS/MS: Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Mass 
Spectrometry 
ELISA: enzyme linked immunosorbent assay 
SAE: serious adverse events 
IRB: institutional review board 
DCC: data coordinating center 
CRF: case report form 
EC: ethics committee 
 


Vitamin D and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) to Prevent Chronic Pain Following Major Thermal Burn Injury
 
 
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Study Summary 
Title 
Pilot, double-blind, randomized controlled, multi-center study of the effects of 
fish oil and vitamin D in the prevention of chronic pain following major thermal 
burn injury. 
Short Title 
Vitamin D and n-3 PUFAs to prevent chronic pain 
IRB Protocol Number 
17-1971 
Phase 
2 
Methodology 
Double Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial using a 2x2 factorial design 
Study Duration 
3 years 
Study Center(s) 
University of North Carolina-Data Coordinating Center 
University of South Florida 
Washington Hospital Center 
Objectives 
Determine the safety and feasibility of administering n-3 PUFAs and Vitamin D 
to survivors of major thermal burn injury. 
Number of Subjects 
60 
Diagnosis and Main 
Inclusion Criteria 
Major Thermal Burn injury involving less than 30 percent TBSA that are severe 
enough to require surgery. 
Study Product, Dose, 
Route, Regimen 
n-3 PUFA (DHA:EPA 2:3), 2 grams (4 softgels) orally administered once per 
day for 6 weeks, Vitamin D 2000 IU (1 capsule) once per day for 6 weeks. 
Duration 
of 
administration 
6 weeks 
Reference therapy 
Matched placebo to fish oil and Vitamin D preparations 
Statistical 
Methodology 
Safety will be determined by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the adverse 
events. Feasibility will be determined by protocol adherence. Estimates of 
potential efficacy will be determined via repeated measures analysis using 
mixed effects models.  
 


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1 
Introduction 
This document is a protocol for a human research study. This study is to be conducted according to US 
and international standards of Good Clinical Practice (FDA Title 21 part 312 and International Conference 
on Harmonization guidelines), applicable government regulations and Institutional research policies and 
procedures.  
 
The main objective of this study is to determine whether administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids 
and Vitamin D for 6 weeks following Major Thermal Burn Injury (MThBI) is feasible and safe. This phase II, 
multicenter, randomized controlled trial is a pilot study to determine feasibility, safety and potential efficacy 
(effect size, sample variation, response to study drug) that can be used to adequately power a larger 
randomized controlled trial to fully assess efficacy.  
1.1 
Background 
Nearly 500,000 burn injuries occur annually in the US, and ~40,000 individuals experience major thermal 
injuries (MThBI) requiring hospitalization1-3. Approximately 3/4 of these individuals require skin grafting4, a 
procedure in which skin is transplanted from a donor site to the site of burn injury (graft site). Up to 60% of 
MThBI patients receiving skin grafting experience severe ongoing pain despite treatment5. New 
therapeutics that prevent chronic pain, promote recovery, and reduce suffering in MThBI survivors are 
urgently needed. 
 
Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) represent one of the most promising, untried treatment 
options to prevent pain in MThBI survivors because they have been demonstrated to be powerful, non-
addictive analgesics6 and also are readily available and easy to administer7. A wealth of preclinical and 
clinical evidence has shown that two of the most well-studied n-3 PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 
and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are powerful analgesics, with a potency of effect many times that of oral 
opioids8, and are able to prevent pain6,9-11. They also have anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and 
neuroprotective effects and have been shown to improve general mental and physical health. Oral 
formulations of DHA and EPA are widely available7, and burgeoning evidence from RCTs testing the 
efficacy of DHA and EPA in other neuro/inflammatory disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis12, migraine 
headache,13 depression14) demonstrate that they are well-tolerated and highly effective. 
 
Vitamin D represents a promising, untried treatment to prevent pain following MThBI because it is 
associated with worsened chronic widespread pain severity 15,16, increased central pain sensitivity 17, and 
other chronic pain conditions such as low back pain18, and spinal stenosis19. Second, available evidence 
suggests that Vitamin D insufficiency, defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations <74 
nmol/l, or less than 20 ng/mL, is a common condition affecting approximately 76% of the U.S. population 
and disproportionately affects African Americans (97% )20,21. Third, in the CNS, vitamin D is known to 
upregulate two anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β1 and IL-4 22,23 which have been shown to inhibit chronic 
pain 24.  Given this data, Vitamin D may be an important modifiable risk factor for chronic pain development 
following MThBI.   
 
1.2 
Investigational Agents: 
DHA and EPA are n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids and are active components of fish oil which is known to 
have anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulation properties. n-3 fatty acids are essential 
fats that are not synthesized in vivo, and therefore must be consumed through dietary souces25. These 
dietary fats are metabolized into anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving lipid mediators such as resolvins and 
protectins. DHA is the major component in human tissues, especially neural tissue. EPA is another fatty 
acid found in human tissues and is known to have anti-inflammatory effects. It is known that DHA does ~ 2 
g per day result in a near maximal plasma response25. Supplementation of DHA causes a modest increase 
in EPA levels, but EPA supplementation does not cause an increase in DHA owing to poor enzymatic 
conversion. Therefore, to increase both DHA and EPA levels in the plasma, the goal of this study, one 
effective approach is to supplement with both fatty acids25.  
 


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Vitamin D is a fat soluble nutrient that has been previously associated with chronic pain outcomes15,16,18,19. 
Vitamin D deficiency is common in the population with a US prevalence of 76%20,21. Previous RCTs have 
used a supplement of 2000 IU of Vitamin D3 targeting an optimal plasma level of 90 nmol/L26,27. 
 
Co-administration of Vitamin D and n-3 PUFAs (Fish Oil) has been safety performed in previous RCTs26,28,29 
and are potentially synergistic in improving pain outcomes.    
1.3 
Preclinical Data 
Pre-clinical studies have shown that n-3 PUFAs and their downstream metabolites are effective anti-
inflammatory agents that reduce neuroinflammation (e.g. microglial activation)6, provide analgesia6,30, and 
prevent the development of chronic pain following injury6,31. This data supports the use of n-3 PUFAs to 
prevent chronic pain in survivors of MThBI.   
1.4 
Clinical Data to Date 
Previous studies demonstrate that Vitamin D and O3FAs are two safe, and effective treatment 
options that have been used to treat a range of painful musculoskeletal disorders. Both Vitamin D 
and O3FA have been shown to reduce chronic pain severity. Numerous studies, both randomized clinical 
trials and systematic reviews, have found O3FA to reduce pain related to rheumatoid arthritis88-95, which is 
an inflammatory pain condition like burn injury. O3FAs have also shown efficacy in randomized controlled 
trials to treat fibromyalgia, a difficult to manage chronic pain condition. O3FAs have demonstrated 
improvement in post-operative pain following gastric bypass96. O3FAs have shown efficacy in treating 
osteoarthritis, and there does not seem to be an affect of high or low dose of O3FA97. Recent RCT data 
from a population with coronary artery disease indicates that O3FAs increases physical function, reduced 
risk of joint replacement and improves pain and stiffness98. Clinical evidence from a case series 
demonstrated that O3FA is effective in reducing neuropathic pain99. Strong clinical trial evidence indicates 
that O3FA is effective to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients who suffer from migraine 
headaches migraine headache25. Vitamin D has similarly been shown to reduce chronic pain across a range 
of painful conditions. Clinical trial results demonstrate that Vitamin D supplementation improves symptoms 
experienced by patients suffering from fibromyalgia35-39, a difficult to treat widespread pain condition. 
Vitamin D supplementation in a recent clinical trials also improved disability related to low back pain40, 
osteoarthritis41 and chronic pain related to migraine headache42. Not all studies are positive, for example a 
recent study demonstrated that Vitamin D supplementation did not change analgesic consumption, or 
improve pain outcomes among the general population100; however this study included the general 
population not those at high risk of chronic pain development as are the individuals we plan to recruit into 
this study. Taken together, the results of clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of O3FA and Vitamin D 
to address painful conditions are promising, and given the lack of available treatment options for burn 
survivors, safety profile of O3FA and Vitamin D, and therapeutic promise we propose O3FA and Vitamin D 
as a potentially safe and effective preventative treatment option to reduce chronic pain severity and promote 
opioid cessation following burn injury.  
.  
1.5 Dose Rationale and Risk/Benefits 
The study will follow a 2x2 factorial design. Two supplements will be used: one will consist of 2 grams of a 
3:2 ratio of EPA/DHA consumed orally (4 softgels=4g fish oil) once daily for 6 weeks and another will be 
2000 IU daily of Vitamin D (1 capsule). The n-3 PUFA dose has been previously used for studies of other 
painful conditions11 and has been associated with a significant increase in the n-3 PUFA level and a 
reduction in the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio over a 6 week period34. The Vitamin D dose of 2000 IU per day has 
been previously used in other clinical trials, has been shown to correct Vitamin D to optimal levels, and has 
been shown to be safe. Participants in the comparator arm for n-3 PUFAs will receive 4 grams of 
soybean/corn oil, which has been safely and effectively used as a comparator in a number of studies.  
 
Chronic pain is associated with reduced mental and physical health and interferes with essential activities 
of daily life. Currently there are limited treatment options to address chronic pain once it has become 
established and the overarching aim of this clinical trial is to prevent chronic pain development, therefore 
there is a critical unmet need of safe, non-addictive, non-invasive preventative treatment options that can 


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be administered to burn survivors in the aftermath of injury. This study has the potential to benefit 
participants and future burn survivors and improve pain and general health outcomes. The risks of taking 
n-3 PUFAs and/or Vitamin D are small. Although n-3 PUFA preparations are well tolerated, potential side 
effects include fish like taste, belching, indigestion and GI upset, increased bleeding. Acceptance of this 
limited risk is reasonable based on the anticipated benefits to burn survivors at risk for chronic pain 
development. Side effects from Vitamin D are rare, however, it is possible that over supplementation of 
Vitamin D may be associated with headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, and 
nausea/vomiting. The risks to the subjects in experiencing these side effects is balanced against the 
potential for a new, safe, non-opioid preventative treatment option for chronic pain following MThBI.  
2 
Study Objectives 
 
Primary Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of administering n-3 PUFAs and/or Vitamin D to 
MThBI survivors for 6 weeks following MThBI.  
 
Secondary Objectives: 
1. To demonstrate potential efficacy of n-3 PUFAs/Vitamin D on decreasing graft site pain severity in 
survivors of MThBI requiring surgery. This will provide data on the confidence interval around our model 
estimates, which will inform a larger clinical trial. 
 
2. Demonstrate the potential efficacy of n-3 PUFAs/Vitamin D on reducing pain interference on important 
domains of life function measured by the Brief Pain Inventory and SF-12 Mental and Physical Component 
Scores. 
 
3. To demonstrate the utility of a clinical prediction tool based on a logistic function derived from a previous 
observational cohort study to enhance enrollment of a population of MThBI survivors at greater risk of 
chronic pain development.  
 
4. To explore sex as a biological variable to determine whether there are differences in safety and efficacy 
among women and men.  
 
Long-Term Aims Beyond the Present Proposal  
To use data collected to design and adequately power a large-scale RCT assessing the efficacy of n-3 
PUFAs and/or Vitamin D treatment in decreasing chronic pain in high-risk patients presenting for treatment 
in the aftermath of MThBI. 
 
3 
Study Design 
3.1 
General Design 
Study Overview. Participants will be screened using a logistic risk stratification tool and will be enrolled if their probability of chronic pain is estimated to be ≥0.3. 
Comprehensive phenotyping will be performed on enrolled patients and a plasma sample will be obtained. Randomization will occur and 15 patients will be treated 
with n-3 PUFAs, Vitamin D, n-3 PUFA+Vitamin D or placebo for 6). Each patient will be assessed at Week 6, Month 3, 6, and 12 following MThBI. Follow-up 


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telephone assessments will be completed by staff at the UNC Institute for Trauma Recovery. Safety will be assessed with weekly phone calls during the 6 week 
treatment period. 
 
In this pilot randomized, double-blind study with 2x2 factorial design, eligible patients will be randomized 
across three sites to receive either n-3 PUFA supplementation, Vitamin D, n-3 PUFA + Vitamin D, or 
comparator lipid (soybean/corn oil) for 6 weeks following MThBI. Randomization will occur after the 
enrollment questionnaire within 72 hours of burn injury. Plasma, DNA, and RNA samples will be collected 
on study enrollment and at 6 weeks following MThBI.  Follow-up assessments will be completed at 6 weeks, 
3, 6 months and 1 year following MThBI.   
3.2 
Posting on clinicaltrials.gov 
The study protocol will be published to clinicaltrials.gov prior to commencement of the trial. Results will be 
posted on clinicaltrials.gov when available.  
3.3 
Primary Study Endpoints 
The primary endpoint of this study will examine the safety, feasibility and efficacy of n-3 PUFAs/Vitamin D 
to improve chronic pain outcomes following major thermal burn injury. Outcome to assess safety: Safety 
outcomes will be met after descriptive review of adverse outcomes, and comparison of adverse events is 
made across treatment groups by investigative team at the conclusion of the study. Outcome to assess 
feasibility: 60 patients will be enrolled, randomized into one of 4 treatment arms in a 1:1:1:1 ratio, and 
treated with study drug for 6 weeks following Major Thermal Burn injury severe enough to warrant surgery 
within a 24 month period. Proportion of participants completing following up at 6 weeks will be reported. 
The concentration of Vitamin D and n-3 PUFAs will be calculated before and after the 6 week treatment in 
each treatment arm to assess the response (expect an increase in both Vitamin D and n-3 PUFA in 
treatment arms). Outcome to assess efficacy: Efficacy of Vitamin D/PUFA will be measured by difference 
in pain severity in treatment arms versus control arms. We will 1) calculate a model estimated mean of 
chronic pain severity and corresponding 95% Confidence interval in each study group and 2) determine the 
slope of pain recovery among individuals treated with Vitamin D and n-3 PUFAs relative to control 
participants using a linear mixed model adjusting for sex, ethnicity, and study site.  
 
3.4 
Secondary Study Endpoints 
 
Several secondary endpoints will be included in this study. The efficacy of n-3 PUFA/Vitamin D to improve 
overall mental and physical health (SF-12 mental and physical component scores), pain interference, 
depression, anxiety, and stress, and opioid consumption will be assessed.  Therapeutic response to Vitamin 
D and n-3 PUFA will be assessed in both women and men.  
3.5 
Primary Safety Endpoints 
To assess safety, adverse events will be tracked using RedCap through emailed/text-messaged surveys 
during the drug treatment to assess side effects and safety profile of n-3 PUFAs and Vitamin D. Qualitative 
analysis of adverse events will be performed by investigative team.  
Subject Selection and Withdrawal 
3.6 
Inclusion Criteria 
 
1. ≥ 18 years and ≤ 65 years of age 
2. Enrollment procedures can feasibly be completed within 96 hours of thermal burn injury 
3. Estimated TBSA ≤ 30% 
4. Surgical team has plans for surgical management of the burn wound (e.g. xenograft and/or autograft). 
5. Patients experience a thermal burn injury, not an electrical or chemical burn. 


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6. Has a telephone to receive follow-up calls. 
7. Able to speak and read English 
8. Alert and oriented 
9. Willing to take study medication for 6 weeks following enrollment  
10. Subjects are capable of giving informed consent. 
11. Predicted probability of chronic pain ≥ 0.3 when demographic parameters are entered into a logistic 
regression model developed from a previous cohort. (Initial pain score entered into this model will be based 
on the highest pain severity over the initial 24 hours after burn injury). 
12. European American or African American 
 
3.7 
Exclusion Criteria 
 
1. Unwilling to take study drug 
2. Allergy to fish oil or corn/soybean oil. 
3. Patient taking clopidogrel (Plavix) 
4. Patient taking warfarin or dabigatran. 
5. Substantial comorbid injury (e.g. long bone fracture) 
6. Pregnancy/Breastfeeding 
7. Prisoner status 
8. Chronic daily opioid use prior to burn (>20 mg oral daily morphine equivalents). 
9. Active psychosis, suicidal ideation, or homicidal ideation 
10. Requires an escharotomy or fasciotomy for the treatment of burn injury.  
11. Has a disorder of pain processing or diminished capacity to perceive pain (congenital insensitivity to 
pain) 
12. Known Child-Pugh liver disease severity classification B or C. 
13. Known chronic kidney disease stage 4 or higher (GFR≤29). 
14. Known Hemophilia A/B 
15. Known bleeding dyscrasia 
16. History of an inability to tolerate fish oil or corn/soybean oil. 
17. Severe gastroesophageal reflux disease 
18. No other history or condition that would, in the investigator’s judgment, indicate that the patient would 
very likely be non-compliant with the study or unsuitable for the study (e.g. might interfere with the study, 
confound interpretation, or endanger patient). 
19. Intubated and sedated at time of enrollment. 
20. Hypersensitivity to Vitamin D3, ergocalciferol, calcitriol, alfacalcidol, calcipotriol 
21. Hypercalcemia (if not already completed, this will be assessed by clinical labs with albumin correction 
prior to enrollment).  
22. Hypervitaminosis 
23. Sarcoidosis 
24. Hyperphosphatemia 
25. Arteriosclerosis 
26. Active myocardial ischemia 
27. Frequent antacid use (calcium carbonate, cimetidine) 
28. Cholestyramine or Colestipol use 
29. Taking Vitamin D supplements in excess of 800 IU daily. 
30. Taking >1g of fish oil per day. 
 
3.8 
Subject Recruitment and Screening 
 
Prior to approaching the patient, medical history data will be reviewed for information pertaining to 
inclusion/exclusion criteria in section 4.2.  If the patient is determined to be ineligible, the review will stop.  
The purpose of assessing this information is to approach only those patients who are potentially eligible. 
Because of the disproportionate burden of chronic pain in African Americans and women following MThBI, 


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we will over sample these populations if needed to achieve 20 African Americans and 20 women. A logistic 
prediction tool will be used to predict the probability of chronic pain and is designed to sample individuals 
most likely to develop persistent/chronic pain. Record will be kept of patients who are screened, but 
excluded and for what reason.  A HIPAA waiver will be requested to permit the review of medical record 
data for evident exclusion criteria prior to approaching a patient (this will reduce study burden on the study 
population who are recovering from a burn injury).  In patients who otherwise appear to be eligible for the 
study, the attending burn surgeon/medical record will be consulted to determine if surgery is planned (most 
of the time this can be determined through chart review). Reasons for exclusion will be recorded. To be 
eligible for the study, the burn must be severe enough for the burn surgery team to plan surgical 
management. Patients will be approached by study personnel and will be offered participation. Participants 
will undergo informed consent. If patients refuse consent, data collected to that point will be retained to 
describe the proportion of burn patients who were screened but refused to participate (because this study 
is regulated, we will maintain demographic information for audit purposes). Reason to refuse participation 
will be also documented and retained. If the patient is after 10 days following their last menstrual period, 
and is not on birth control, a urine pregnancy test will be performed prior to randomization. If the patient is 
found to be pregnant they will be excluded from the study. If not already collected, an albumin corrected 
calcium level will be drawn and patients will be excluded if >12 mg/dL. Once patients are determined to 
meet full inclusion criteria and have no reason for exclusion, consented patients will be randomized and 
study drug will commence on enrollment in the study. Patients who are initially intubated may be eligible 
for the study, as long as they are extubated, alert, and oriented at the time of enrollment and other eligibility 
criteria are met. Advertising for this study will occur through flyers placed on the burn unit that will be 
approved by the institutional IRB for each study site.  
3.9 
Early Withdrawal of Subjects 
3.9.1 When and How to Withdraw Subjects 
Participants may withdraw from the study at any point in time. If patients experience side effects such as 
gastroesophageal reflux/”heartburn”, unpleasant taste that cannot be tolerated or any other unwanted effect 
and elect not to continue the study drug, they will be followed and included in the intention to treat analysis. 
Abrupt discontinuation of the study medication or comparator is not expected to affect/compromise patient 
safety. In other words, no wean would be needed. If patients are determined to be pregnant during the 6 
weeks of drug administration (through home urine pregnancy test, or through an office based urine/serum 
pregnancy test) then the study drug will be discontinued, but the patients will be followed in an intention to 
treat fashion.  
 
3.9.2 Data Collection and Follow-up for Withdrawn Subjects 
If participants choose to withdraw because of side effects, they will be followed until their symptoms resolve 
or until it is determined that their side effects were not related to the study drug. If the patient voluntarily 
withdraws from the study, outcome measures from completed timepoints will be collected and included in 
intention to treat analysis. If the patient is lost to follow-up and is unresponsive to more than 4 telephone 
calls and 4 secure e-mails, the next of kin listed in the medical record will be contacted once to attempt to 
reach the participant. If this is not successful, then 1 certified letter will be sent to attempt to contact the 
consented participant. This is highlighted in detail in the manual of procedures.  
4 
Study Drug  
4.1 
Description 
 
The study drugs are 1) 2g of DHA/EPA administered orally as 4 capsules comprising approximately 2 grams 
of EPA/DHA in a 3:2 ratio (this will require a total dose of 4 grams of fish oil) and 2) Vitamin D3 
(cholecalciferol) 2000 IU orally. 


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4.2 
Treatment Regimen 
 
For 6 weeks following enrollment in this study, participants will be provided with study drug or placebo. Both 
the n-3 PUFA and Vitamin D will be taken together once per day.  
4.3 
Method for Assigning Subjects to Treatment Groups 
Once a potential subject has been successfully screened, does not meet any exclusion criteria, is willing to 
participate in the study, and signs informed consent, the patient will be randomized by the study site using 
a block randomization scheme with permuted block sizes stratified on ethnicity and sex. A randomization 
table will be generated by the study statistician and placed in the randomization module in RedCap. Only 
the investigational pharmacy and study statistician will be unblinded to the drug the patient is receiving. 
They will not reveal this to the patient care team, investigative team, or to the patient. Identical dosing 
schedule, route of administration, number of pills in each dose, and the appearance of the capsules will be 
identical among each group. At the time of patient discharge from the study site, the study site (nursing 
staff) will dispense a supply of study medication for the patient to complete a 6 week course (this medication 
was initially dispensed to the patient from IDS at the time of enrollment). Only the IDS will know the identity 
of each group’s treatment, as well as the study statistician. This will only be provided to the study statistician 
at the end of the study.    
4.4 
Preparation and Administration of Study Drug 
Study medication, including n-3 PUFA, Vitamin D3 and comparator, will be ordered directly from the supplier 
and delivered to the investigational drug pharmacy (IDS) at each site.  All medication will be stored in a 
climate controlled storage area.  The containers will be labeled by the manufacturer. Each participant will 
receive two bottles of study medication one containing n-3 PUFA or control and anther containing Vitamin 
D or placebo to take once daily. The fish oil/placebo will contain 168 capsules, and will have instructions to 
“take 4 capsules by mouth each morning for 6 weeks.” The Vitamin D3/placebo will contain 42 capsules, 
and will have instructions that read “take 1 capsule by mouth each evening for 6 weeks.” Upon discharge, 
the patients will be given a quantity to complete 6 week course of study medication.  Lost medication will 
be replaced upon request and this will be dispensed by the IDS pharmacy and shipped to participant by the 
site coordinator. At Washington Hospital Center, an IDS pharmacy will not be used, and procedures will be 
developed that will enable dispensing study drug and accounting for dispensed study drug per their protocol 
approved by the site IRB.  
 
4.5 
Subject Compliance Monitoring 
Administration of the study drug will be completed by burn center nursing staff and will be documented in 
the medication administration record (MAR). Reasons for refusal will be documented in the MAR. Following 
the treatment period, patients will receive weekly surveys delivered by text message/e-mail via RedCap or 
by phone call that will assess the number of missed doses as well as a graft-site pain rating (0-10 NRS). In 
addition, a biological test for medication compliance will be performed by comparing starting concentration 
of n-3 PUFAs/Vitamin D to ending concentration (e.g. an increase in PUFA level is an additional marker of 
compliance). 
4.6 
Prior and Concomitant Therapy 
Prior and concomitant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-itching, and anticoagulants will be collected on 
enrollment, discharge from the hospital through data extraction, and at each telephone/e-mail follow-up 
assessment. The need for concomitant therapy with a therapeutic dose of anticoagulation for any indication 
will trigger a conversation with the prescribing physician about whether co-administration of fish oil is 
appropriate given the specific indication for anticoagulation. If it is not acceptable to take fish oil and 
anticoagulant in the prescribing physician’s best judgement, then the study drug will be stopped without 
unblinding. Analgesic medications as would be normally prescribed are permitted throughout this study 
including anti-inflammatory agents which are part of routine care of burn survivors. Consumption of 
medication will be tracked and addressed in secondary analyses.  


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4.7 
Packaging 
Study drug will be shipped from supplier in the case of vitamin D an n-3 PUFAs in bulk containers and 
stored in the investigational drug pharmacy. Study drug will be administered to inpatient burn survivors by 
nursing staff or other appointed staff. On discharge from the burn unit, a quantity sufficient to complete a 6 
week supply will be calculated by study staff and dispensed by the site at the time of patient discharge. 
4.8 
Blinding of Study Drug (if applicable) 
Only the investigational drug services and unaffiliated staff will know the contents of the capsules. The 
study drugs and comparator will be packaged in identical capsules and will be indistinguishable. Each 
patient will be assigned to a treatment arm using the randomization table using a block randomization 
technique. Randomization table to be generated by Data Coordinating Center statistical support. A 
Randomization ID will be generated that corresponds to the treatment. Only the IDS or, in the case of 
Washington Hospital Center, an appointed staff with no affiliation with the study will dispense the study drug 
maintaining strict blinding.    
4.9 
Receiving, Storage, Dispensing and Return 
4.9.1 Receipt of Drug Supplies 
Our drug supplier will ship the study drug and comparator to the UNC Investigation Drug Pharmacy. Once 
the study drug arrives, receipt of the study drugs will be performed and a drug receipt log filled out and 
signed by the person accepting the shipment. Each site will develop their own process for maintaining a 
log of drug administration. The designated study staff will count and verify that the shipment contains all 
the items noted in the shipment inventory supplied at the time of shipment.  Any damaged or unusable 
study drug in a given shipment (active drug or comparator) will be documented in the study files.   
4.9.2 Storage 
Drug will be stored at 77 degrees Fahrenheit with excursions permitted from 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit at 
the UNC investigational drug pharmacy. At each site, it will be kept in a climate controlled room. The drug 
will not be frozen. There is no requirement for the drug to be shielded from light or any other special 
requirements.  
4.9.3 Dispensing of Study Drug 
The study drug will be dispensed by burn unit nursing staff during the inpatient phase of treatment along 
with other daily medications. Upon discharge from the burn unit, the remaining number of tablets to 
complete a 6 week course will be calculated by study staff and dispensed to the patient in standard 
containers with a label outlining instructions. Study drug reconciliation will be performed at the conclusion 
of the study. This reconciliation will be logged on the drug accountability form and signed and dated by the 
study team. This log will be kept by the UNC site investigational drug pharmacy at UNC via an electronic 
system.   
 
4.9.4 Return or Destruction of Study Drug 
At the completion of the study, there will be a final reconciliation of drug shipped, drug consumed, and drug 
remaining.  This reconciliation will be logged on the drug reconciliation form, signed and dated.  Any 
discrepancies noted will be investigated, resolved, and documented prior to return or destruction of unused 
study drug.  Drug destroyed on site will be documented in the study files. 
5 
Study Procedures 
5.1 
Enrollment Procedures 
This first visit will take place upon admission to the hospital following a major thermal burn injury within 72 
hours of MThBI. Patients enrolled in the study will be randomized (1. once consents are signed and 2. 
baseline data is collected) into a 2x2 factorial design with 1:1:1:1 allocation as described in the study 


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overview. Burn survivors qualifying for this study are generally hospitalized for a period of time (typically 7-
14 days) and therefore will start the study drug immediately after enrollment questionnaire has been 
completed and continue daily dosing during their stay. Upon discharge of the patient a supply sufficient to 
complete a 6 week course of study drugs will be dispensed by study staff.  
 
Medical record information abstracted at time of admission will include information related to patient past 
medical history and initial burn care, and medication use prior to admission and prior to enrollment. 
Laboratory values relevant to patient renal and hepatic function will also be obtained, along with any 
toxicology labs obtained by the primary treating team. 
 
Demographic and phenotypic data will be collected at this time. Patients will be asked to report demographic 
information including age, sex, ethnicity, education level, income level, and marital status. Pre-burn 
physiological traits will be assessed using pain catastrophizing38, SF12 MCS39, depression anxiety stress 
scale (DASS21)40, and Life events checklist. Characteristics of the patients’ injuries will be reported through 
estimated percent total body surface area, mechanism their burn, and the donor/graft site location. Current 
pain at the graft site will be assessed using a 0-10 numeric rating scale41-44, brief pain inventory, DN-4, S-
LANSS35 and Regional Pain Scale (RPS). The patient’s physical function will be assessed with the SF1239 
and a work/disabilities questionnaire. Depressive symptoms will be recorded using the DASS2140. PTSD 
symptoms will be assessed with the PTSD Symptom Severity index-interview45. Patient somatic symptoms 
will be recorded with the somatic symptoms inventory. The patient’s burn wound will be documented with 
digital photos taken of the injury site. Dissociative symptoms will be documented with the Michigan Critical 
Events Perception Scale48. Analgesic medication use will be recorded as daily milligram morphine 
equivalents. All patient information will be recorded by a trained research assistant or principal investigator. 
We additionally will assess treatment expectation using a modified survey that uses Likert scales prior 
randomization.  
 
At the time of enrollment, blood for DNA will be collected using a PAXgene DNA storage tube (8.5cc). These 
samples will be stored at -70 oC or below for future testing. Blood for RNA will be collected using a PAXgene 
RNA storage tube (2.5cc).  These samples will be stored at -70 oC or below for future testing. Blood for 
immune profiling will be collected in sodium heparin tubes (16cc).  Whole blood collected from sodium 
heparin tubes will be aliquoted into SmartTubes which allow storage for later processing by mass cytometric 
methods. Additional aliquots from these tubes will used to assess adaptive and innate immune function in 
vitro.  Blood for lipidomics, vitamin D level and protein expression analysis will be obtained via EDTA tubes 
containing K2EDTA for sample anticoagulation (8cc).  Plasma will be separated from the cells by 
centrifuging the collection tube for 10 minutes at 2000 rpm at 25 °C, within two to 48 hours of collection.  
Plasma will be stored in 100-250 µL aliquots in plastic microcentrifuge tubes at -70 °C or below for future 
testing. Total amount of blood collected via venipuncture will be 35-36cc. A drop of blood will be applied to 
two dried blood spot cards, one for Vitamin D testing and another for fatty acid profiling.  
 
 
 
 
Primary study measures by timepoint. 
Domain 
Measure 
D1 6W 3M 6M 1Y 
Demographic information 
Age, sex, ethnicity, education level, income level, marital status  ● 
 
 
 
 
Pre-burn psychological traits Pain catastrophizing, SF12 MCS, DASS21, Life events checklist ● 
 
 
 
 
Burn Injury Characteristics 
Estimated % TBSA, mechanism of burn, donor/graft site location ● 
 
 
 
 
Graft Site Pain severity 
0-10 numeric rating scale; Brief Pain Inventory, DN-4, S-LANSS
†RPS 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
Physical function 
SF12, work/disability questions 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
Depressive Symptoms 
Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS21) 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
PTSD symptoms 
PTSD Symptom Severity index-interview 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
Somatic Symptoms 
Somatic symptoms inventory 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
Alcohol and drug use  
TWEAK/SAOM 
 
● 
● 
 
● 
Burn wound evaluation 
Digital photos of injury/wound site 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
Dissociative Symptoms 
Michigan Critical Events Perception Scale 
● 
 
 
 
 
Analgesic Medication Use 
Daily milligram morphine equivalents, non-opioid analgesic use 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
 
†RPS = Regional pain sale, M=month, W=week, D= day, PTSD=post-traumatic stress disorder, TBSA: total body surface area, 
DN-4 Douleur Neuropathique 4, neuropathic pain questionnaire, S-LANSS: self report version of the Leeds Assessment of 
Neuropathic Pain scale  SF-12: 12 item short form from the medical outcomes survey.  


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5.2 
Inpatient Medication Administration 
Daily the clinical nursing staff or study staff will administer the study drug orally along with the patient’s 
morning medications or a separate time if this proves not feasible. This administration will be recorded in 
the patients electronic medical record in the medication administration record (MAR). Review of the MAR 
by study personnel will help calculate the supply of medication needed for each subject to complete a 6 
week course of study medications: n-3 PUFA, Vitamin D, both or comparator (corn/soybean oil).  
5.3 
Data Extraction 
Medical record information abstracted after discharge will include information on the patient's health status 
and care during hospitalization and at the time of discharge.  This information will include burn 
characteristics (e.g. TBSA, depth, location, mechanism), medications taken during admission, and 
discharge medications. Data collected regarding the surgical procedure will include donor site location, 
size, mesh ratio, mechanism of grafting (e.g., staples or fibrin glue), location of grafting, and date of surgery.  
5.4 
Text messaged or e-mailed outpatient Weekly Pain and Compliance Assessments  
Brief, weekly assessments of number of missed doses in the past week and graft site pain severity (0-10 
NRS) over the past 24 hours will occur via automated text message/e-mailed surveys administered through 
our secure study database RedCap. If patients are not able to respond via text messaging or e-mail they 
will be called by investigative team. Patients will be called by study staff if they miss 3 or more doses in a 1 
week period to provide counseling and determine any potential barriers to taking the study medication. 
Study staff will contact the participants at 3 weeks for a brief assessment of missed doses, to provide 
adherence counseling, and collect any reported information about adverse events. At this time a condensed 
bleeding assessment will be performed to assess bleeding events since the beginning of treatment36.  
5.5 
6 week assessment 
The goal of this assessment is to perform a comprehensive phenotypic follow-up and perform a blood draw 
to assess for lipid concentration, Vitamin D concentration and related gene expression (RNA), and 
epigenetic changes (DNA). 
 
Outcome assessments will be performed via structured and scripted interview/survey either at the burn 
clinic or via telephone or via a web based survey emailed to their on file email address. Multiple methods 
of contacting participants may be used to best meet the needs of the participants.   Average pain and itch 
(0-10 NRS), frequency of pain and itch during the past 24 hours at the patient’s donor site, as well as 
average pain and itch (0-10 NRS) and frequency of pain and itch during the past 24 hours at the patient’s 
graft site will be assessed. The condensed bleeding assessment tool will be repeated to assess for bleeding 
events between the 3 and 6 week timepoints. The presence of neuropathic pain symptoms (DN437, S-
LANSS35) will also be assessed, as well as pain and itch related interference in daily activities (Brief 
Pain/Itch Inventory Interference Subscales).38  Information regarding current medication use (both standing 
and PRN) and health services utilization (including burn care such as PT, OT) will also be obtained. At 
these time points the following assessments will also be administered:  The frequency of scratching and its 
effect on itch related to the burn, at either the donor site or the graft site, will be evaluated. The location 
(Regional Pain Scale39) and intensity (0-10 NRS) of pain and itch symptoms (using a modified RPS) in any 
locations other than the donor and graft sites will be assessed, along with the presence and severity of 
other somatic symptoms (e.g. headache, dizziness, and itching).  General health (SF-1240), depressive and 
anxiety symptoms (DASS41), and PTSD symptoms (PSS-I42) will be assessed.  Sleep quality will be 
assessed using the MOS Sleep Scale.43  Global recovery after burn injury will be evaluated using a 0-100 
percent improvement scale (0%=no recovery, 100%=completely recovered). Alcohol abuse is common 
among injured patients,44 and increased alcohol or drug use after trauma is likely to be related to chronic 
pain and itch outcomes.  Quantity and frequency of alcohol and drug use will be assessed at the 24 week 
and 48 week follow-up time points, using questions from the TWEAK45 and Substance Abuse Outcomes 
Module.46   
 


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During the 6 week visit to the burn clinic, patients will provide plasma, RNA and DNA samples as described 
above via routine venipuncture performed by trained personnel. The total amount of blood obtained will be 
approximately 14-15cc (less than 2 tablespoons). During this process 1 drop will be applied to two dried 
blood spot cards one for Vitamin D assessment and another for fatty acid profiling. If this is not possible or 
feasible, a mobile blood draw technician may be dispatched to a location convenient to the patient to obtain 
this sample. If this blood draw proves not to be feasible, we will provide (either by mail or, in the case of 
expected difficulties, at the time of enrollment) a patient a kit to perform a finger-prick to blot a drop of blood 
on two dried blood spot cards for 1. Assessment of Vitamin D level and for 2. Fatty acid profiling. This will 
be the same cards in which are used for initial blood collection. A dietary assessment will be performed as 
part of the 6 week assessment. 
5.6 
3, 6 and 12 month assessments 
Outcome assessments will be performed via structured and scripted telephone interviews.   Average pain 
and itch (0-10 NRS), frequency of pain and itch during the past 24 hours at the patient’s donor site, as well 
as average pain and itch (0-10 NRS) and frequency of pain and itch during the past 24 hours at the patient’s 
graft site will be assessed.  The presence of neuropathic pain symptoms (DN437, S-LANSS35) will also be 
assessed, as well as pain and itch related interference in daily activities (Brief Pain/Itch Inventory 
Interference Subscales).38  Information regarding current medication use (both standing and PRN) and 
health services utilization (including burn care such as PT, OT) will also be obtained. At these time points 
the following assessments will also be administered:  The frequency of scratching and its effect on itch 
related to the burn, at either the donor site or the graft site, will be evaluated. The location (Regional Pain 
Scale39) and intensity (0-10 NRS) of pain and itch symptoms (using a modified RPS) in any locations other 
than the donor and graft sites will be assessed, along with the presence and severity of other somatic 
symptoms (e.g. headache, dizziness, and itching).  General health (SF-1240), depressive and anxiety 
symptoms (DASS41), and PTSD symptoms (PSS-I42) will be assessed.  Sleep quality will be assessed using 
the MOS Sleep Scale.43  Global recovery after burn injury will be evaluated using a 0-100 percent 
improvement scale (0%=no recovery, 100%=completely recovered). Pending litigation or workman’s 
compensation claims related to the burn injury will also be evaluated (at month 12). Alcohol abuse is 
common among injured patients,44 and increased alcohol or drug use after trauma is likely to be related to 
chronic pain and itch outcomes.  Quantity and frequency of alcohol and drug use will be assessed at the 
24 week and 48 week follow-up time points, using questions from the TWEAK45 and Substance Abuse 
Outcomes Module.46  Photos of both the graft site and donor site (if present) will be obtained using a 
standard algorithm using any available digital camera/smartphone and stored on the research database. If 
patients do not have access to a digital camera one will be mailed to their address with a return label, or 
they will have the photos taken during a follow-up clinic visit. We will also collect information about the 
number of servings of fish, olive oil, and any Vitamin D or fish oil supplements that have been consumed 
since the 6 week treatment period. Participants will be contacted at 9 months for a brief participant contact 
information update. This will ensure that the participant’s address, phone number, and e-mail address are 
up-to-date for study contact purposes. 
 
 
6 
Statistical Plan 
6.1 
Sample Size Determination 
The purpose of this study is to assess study feasibility, safety and to obtain initial effect size estimates and 
confidence intervals to use in sample size calculations for a larger study. Previous studies of Vitamin D and 
n-3 PUFAs for the treatment of chronic pain are poorly generalizable to this setting because 1) they examine 
treatment of established chronic pain states versus developing pain states, 2) do not involve trauma 
exposure/acute stress, and 3) are not preventive studies. Therefore, this pilot study will be instrumental in 
demonstrating feasibility and safety of the protocol, and estimates of efficacy along with confidence intervals 
will be helpful for planning a larger follow-up study. 
 


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Justification for the sample size. We will target 15 individuals in each group (60 total) so that feasibility 
and safety may be determined as well as provide potential evidence for efficacy. Below, calculations are 
provided to justify sample size for each objective. 
 
Feasibility: Assuming that observed follow-up will be around 80%, this study will allow us to estimate 
follow-up rates to within ± 10% with a 95% confidence interval given we reach the enrollment target of 60. 
Allowing for up to 20% loss, with 30 participants treated in each n-3 PUFA arm of our study, our study is 
powered at 90% to detect a difference of 2.6% of DHA (an n-3 PUFA) in total fatty acid content considering 
a standard deviation of 1.3%47. This study (30 per Vitamin D arm is powered at 83% to detect a change of 
9 ng/dl in Vitamin D level assuming a SD of 10.548. 
 
Efficacy:  Allowing for up to 20% loss and assuming a common standard deviation of 2.6 (approximated 
from our pilot dataset) and no interaction between treatments, randomizing 30 participants to each 
comparison group (Vitamin D/n-3 PUFA versus control) will allow us to estimate the difference in mean pain 
severity to within ±1.4 using a two-sided 95% confidence interval. 
6.2 
Statistical Methods 
 
Primary outcome assessments and analysis:  
 
Feasibility: The primary objective of this pilot study is to ensure that we are able to enroll participants and 
make follow-up assessments. The subsequent study will be considered feasible if we are able to collect 
follow-up assessments on >80% of enrolled participants at 6 weeks following MThBI, and >80% of 
participants at 1 year. Medication adherence will be assessed by pill counts at the end of the study and 
quantitative determination of plasma fatty acid/Vitamin D concentration. The subsequent study will be 
considered feasible if at least 75% of participants take at least 80% of their assigned medication (per pill 
count) and there is a statistically significant increase in Vitamin D and fatty acid concentration in treated 
individuals versus controls. T-tests will be used and a p<0.05 will be considered statistically significant.  
 
Safety: Another main objective of this pilot study is to ensure safety of both treatments as well as combined. 
To determine safety, we will tabulate the number of serious adverse events in each treatment arm and 
perform a descriptive review of adverse events in the study, and make a determination about the degree of 
relatedness of each adverse event with the intervention using CTCAE criteria outlined in Appendix 2. The 
recorded adverse events in each arm will be tabulated descriptively, but no inferential statistics (p-values 
and confidence intervals) for comparing arms will be reported. 
 
Efficacy: Estimates of efficacy will be obtained via repeated measures analysis using mixed effects models 
(PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4). Prior to unblinding the data, our study statistician will perform a blind review of 
the data in which statistical models will be developed and tested using dummy (computer generated) 
treatment assignments. The goal of this is to fit the most appropriate model given aggregate data. Graft site 
pain severity will be collected in four waves across time; therefore, we will use mixed effects modeling with 
random error using an unstructured covariance matrix. The model will include fixed effects for PUFA, 
Vitamin D, their interaction, time, and the interactions between groups and time, as well as fixed effects for 
site, gender, and race/ethnicity. During blind review, competing nested fixed effect models will be 
compared. We will consider modeling time using either a) time as continuous variable with a linear model 
(i.e., slopes only), b) time as a continuous variable with a higher order polynomial model (up to cubic, given 
4 time points), or c) time as a class variable. Competing fixed effect models will be fitted using maximum 
likelihood and compared using the BIC criterion. Once the form for the fixed effect model is selected, the 
final model will be fit using restricted maximum likelihood. After unblinding the data, we will use 
appropriately specified linear contrasts of the model parameters to estimate mean differences across 
groups at each time point along with 95% confidence intervals.  
 
Interim analysis: Two interim analyses are planned after the enrollment of the 20th and 40th patients in 
the study. This will be conducted to ensure safety, perform a feasibility assessment, and assess potential 
efficacy. This optimizes study ethics, as it ensures safety of current and future study participants, allows 


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optimization of study protocol based on results of safety and feasibility assessment, and allows an efficacy 
assessment with appropriate statistical “penalty” for an interim look. Adverse events will be qualitatively 
reviewed at two interim analyses occurring after enrollment of the 20th patient and after enrollment of the 
40th patient. While study investigators, staff, and participants remain blinded, the study statistician will 
prepare a qualitative summary of adverse events by type over the treatment groups. The results will be 
reported to investigators in aggregate such that blinding is maintained. 
 
Significance thresholds for interim analyses for potential efficacy will be adjusted using the O’Brien-Fleming 
approach. In order for the trial to stop enrolling because efficacy (superiority) is established after the first 
interim analysis (after 20 patients enrolled), the boundary critical value of 3.428 and corresponding alpha 
of 0.0006 must be reached. In order for the trial to stop enrolling because efficacy is established after the 
second interim analysis (after 40 patients enrolled), the boundary critical value of 2.431 and corresponding 
alpha of 0.0151 must be crossed. After the final analysis (third analysis) a critical value of 1.985 and a p-
value of 0.0471 will be used. This final, adjusted p-value threshold of 0.0471, allows for a statistical “penalty” 
to be assessed because of the interim look. Given that this is a pilot study, we believe it is critically important 
to assess our safety, feasibility and potential efficacy outcomes at interim analysis. 
 
Given that the study was terminated early after enrollment of the 24th patient after one interim analysis, the 
final, adjusted p-value threshold of 0.0492, allows for a statistical “penalty” to be assessed because of the 
interim look.  
 
Secondary Analyses: 
Similar models as for the primary outcome will be fit for both the Brief Pain Inventory and the SF-12 Mental 
and Physical Component Scale Scores. 
 
Sex as a biological variable (SABV) will be examined in treatment response including sex-by treatment 
interaction terms in the mixed effect model specified above and exploring sex differences in therapeutic 
response to Vitamin D and n-3 PUFAs. 
 
General mental and physical health will be assessed using SF-12 physical and mental component scores 
(PCS and MCS) and the impact on physical and mental functioning will be determined in each of the 
treatment groups. A clinically important reduction in SF-12 PCS and MCS ranges between 2.5-4.549; 
therefore, a reduction of ≥ 4.5 will be considered a clinically significant improvement MCS/PCS.  
 
Brief Pain Inventory: We will also use multivariable analysis to determine the role of n-3 PUFA/Vitamin D 
supplementation in pain interference using composite and individual measures of the Brief Pain Inventory. 
 
6.3 
Subject Population(s) for Analysis 
We will examine effect of n-3 PUFA, Vitamin D, and n-3 PUFA+Vitamin D treatment on pain outcomes 
using the following populations; however, the All-randomized population will be the primary analysis 
performed in this study following an intention to treat paradigm. 
Primary Analysis: 
 All-randomized population:  Any subject randomized into the study, in the group to which they were 
randomized, regardless of extent of study drug received (intention-to-treat). 
 
Secondary Analyses: 
 Protocol-compliant population:  Any subject who was randomized and maintained >80% study 
medication adherence, and no major protocol violations. 
7 
Safety and Adverse Events 
7.1 
Definitions 
Unanticipated Problems Involving Risk to Subjects or Others 
Any incident, experience, or outcome that meets all of the following criteria:  


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 Unexpected in nature, severity, or frequency (i.e. not described in study-related documents such as 
the IRB-approved protocol or consent form, the investigators brochure, etc.). 
 Related or possibly related to participation in the research (i.e. possibly related means there is a 
reasonable possibility that the incident experience, or outcome may have been caused by the 
procedures involved in the research). 
 Serious (as defined below) “Serious” is different than “severe” as reported in the CTC criteria 
that applies a grade to the AE. 
 
Adverse Event 
An adverse event (AE) is any symptom, sign, illness or experience that develops or worsens in severity 
during the course of the study. Intercurrent illnesses or injuries should be regarded as adverse events.  
Abnormal results of diagnostic procedures are considered to be adverse events if the abnormality: 
 results in study withdrawal 
 is associated with a serious adverse event 
 is associated with clinical signs or symptoms 
 leads to additional treatment or to further diagnostic tests 
 is considered by the investigator to be of clinical significance 
 
Serious Adverse Event 
Adverse events are classified as serious or non-serious.  A serious adverse event is any AE that is:  
 fatal 
 life-threatening 
 requires or prolongs hospital stay 
 results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity 
 a congenital anomaly or birth defect 
 an important medical event 
 
Important medical events are those that may not be immediately life threatening, but are clearly of major 
clinical significance.   They may jeopardize the subject, and may require intervention to prevent one of the 
other serious outcomes noted above.  For example, drug overdose or abuse, a seizure that did not result 
in in-patient hospitalization, or intensive treatment of bronchospasm in an emergency department would 
typically be considered serious.  
 
All adverse events that do not meet any of the criteria for serious should be regarded as non-serious 
adverse events.  
 
Adverse Event Reporting Period 
The study period during which adverse events must be reported is normally defined as the period from the 
initiation of any study procedures to the end of the study treatment follow-up.  For this study, the study 
treatment follow-up is defined as 30 days following the last administration of study treatment.  
 
Preexisting Condition 
A preexisting condition is one that is present at the start of the study.  A preexisting condition should be 
recorded as an adverse event if the frequency, intensity, or the character of the condition worsens during 
the study period. 
 
General Physical Examination Findings 
At screening, any clinically significant abnormality should be recorded as a preexisting condition.  At the 
end of the study, any new clinically significant findings/abnormalities that meet the definition of an adverse 
event must also be recorded and documented as an adverse event.  
 
Post-study Adverse Event 
All unresolved adverse events should be followed by the investigator until the events are resolved, the 
subject is lost to follow-up, or the adverse event is otherwise explained.  At the last scheduled visit, the 


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investigator should instruct each subject to report any subsequent event(s) that the subject, or the subject’s 
personal physician, believes might reasonably be related to participation in this study.  The investigator 
should notify the study sponsor of any death or adverse event occurring at any time after a subject has 
discontinued or terminated study participation that may reasonably be related to this study.  The sponsor 
should also be notified if the investigator should become aware of the development of cancer or of a 
congenital anomaly in a subsequently conceived offspring of a subject that has participated in this study.  
 
Abnormal Laboratory Values 
A clinical laboratory abnormality should be documented as an adverse event if any one of the following 
conditions is met:  
 The laboratory abnormality is not otherwise refuted by a repeat test to confirm the abnormality 
 The abnormality suggests a disease and/or organ toxicity 
 The abnormality is of a degree that requires active management; e.g. change of dose, 
discontinuation of the drug, more frequent follow-up assessments, further diagnostic investigation, 
etc. 
 
Hospitalization, Prolonged Hospitalization or Surgery 
Any adverse event that results in hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization should be documented and 
reported as a serious adverse event unless specifically instructed otherwise in this protocol.  Any condition 
responsible for surgery should be documented as an adverse event if the condition meets the criteria for 
and adverse event.  
 
Neither the condition, hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, nor surgery are reported as an adverse 
event in the following circumstances: 
 Hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization for diagnostic or elective surgical procedures for a 
preexisting condition.  Surgery should not be reported as an outcome of an adverse event if the 
purpose of the surgery was elective or diagnostic and the outcome was uneventful. 
 Hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization required to allow efficacy measurement for the study. 
 Hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization for therapy of the target disease of the study, unless it 
is a worsening or increase in frequency of hospital admissions as judged by the clinical investigator. 
7.2 
Recording of Adverse Events 
At each contact with the subject, the investigator must seek information on adverse events by specific 
questioning and, as appropriate, by examination.  Information on all adverse events should be recorded 
immediately in the source document, and also in the appropriate adverse event module of the case report 
form (CRF).  All clearly related signs, symptoms, and abnormal diagnostic procedures results should 
recorded in the source document, though should be grouped under one diagnosis. 
 
All adverse events occurring during the study period must be recorded.  The clinical course of each event 
should be followed until resolution, stabilization, or until it has been determined that the study treatment or 
participation is not the cause.  Serious adverse events that are still ongoing at the end of the study period 
must be followed up to determine the final outcome.  Any serious adverse event that occurs after the study 
period and is considered to be possibly related to the study treatment or study participation should be 
recorded and reported immediately. 
7.3 
Reporting of Serious Adverse Events and Unanticipated Problems 
Investigators and the protocol sponsor will conform to the adverse event reporting timelines, formats and 
requirements of the various entities to which they are responsible, but at a minimum those events that must 
be reported are those that are: 
 related to study participation, 
 unexpected, and  
 serious or involve risks to subjects or others  
(see definitions, section 8.1).   
If the report is supplied as a narrative, the minimum necessary information to be provided at the time of the 
initial report includes: 


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 
Study identifier 
 
Study Center 
 
Subject number 
 
A description of the event 
 
Date of onset 
 
Current status 
 
Whether study treatment was discontinued 
 
The reason why the event is classified as serious 
 
Investigator assessment of the association 
between the event and study treatment 
 
7.3.1 Investigator reporting: notifying the study sponsor 
Any study-related unanticipated problem posing risk of harm to subjects or others, and any type of serious 
adverse event, must be reported to the study sponsor by telephone within 24 hours of the event.  To report 
such events, a Serious Adverse Event (SAE) form must be completed by the investigator and faxed to the 
study sponsor within 24 hours.  The investigator will keep a copy of this SAE form on file at the study site.   
 
Within the following 48 hours, the investigator must provide further information on the serious adverse event 
or the unanticipated problem in the form of a written narrative.  This should include a copy of the completed 
Serious Adverse Event form, and any other diagnostic information that will assist the understanding of the 
event.  Significant new information on ongoing serious adverse events should be provided promptly to the 
study sponsor.  
7.3.2 Investigator reporting:   
 
For reportable deaths, the initial submission to the UNC IRB may be made by contacting the IRB Director 
or Associate Director. The AE/Unanticipated Problem Form is required as a follow up to the initial 
submission. 
 
Other Reportable events: 
For clinical drug trials, the following events are also reportable to the UNC IRB: 
 Any adverse experience that, even without detailed analysis, represents a serious unexpected adverse 
event that is rare in the absence of drug exposure (such as agranulocytosis, hepatic necrosis, Stevens-
Johnson syndrome). 
 Any adverse event that would cause the sponsor to modify the investigators brochure, protocol or 
informed consent form, or would prompt other action by the IRB to assure protection of human subjects. 
 Information that indicates a change to the risks or potential benefits of the research, in terms of severity 
or frequency. For example:  
– An interim analysis indicates that participants have a lower rate of response to treatment than 
initially expected. 
– Safety monitoring indicates that a particular side effect is more severe, or more frequent than 
initially expected. 
– A paper is published from another study that shows that an arm of your research study is of no 
therapeutic value. 
 Change in FDA safety labeling or withdrawal from marketing of a drug, device, or biologic used in a 
research protocol. 
 Breach of confidentiality 
 Change to the protocol taken without prior IRB review to eliminate apparent immediate hazard to a 
research participant. 
 Incarceration of a participant when the research was not previously approved under Subpart C and 
the investigator believes it is in the best interest of the subject to remain on the study. 
 Complaint of a participant when the complaint indicates unexpected risks or the complaint cannot 
be resolved by the research team. 


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 Protocol violation (meaning an accidental or unintentional deviation from the IRB approved protocol) 
that in the opinion of the investigator placed one or more participants at increased risk, or affects 
the rights or welfare of subjects. 
7.3.3 Investigator reporting:  
Investigators who are not UNC faculty or affiliated with a UNC research site are responsible for safety 
reporting to their local IRB.  Investigators are responsible for complying with their local IRB’s reporting 
requirements, though must submit the required reports to their IRB no later than 10 working days.  Copies 
of each report and documentation of IRB notification and receipt will be kept in the investigator’s study file. 
7.3.4 Sponsor reporting: Notifying the FDA 
 
The study PI will report certain study events in an expedited fashion to the FDA.  These written notifications 
of adverse events are referred to as IND safety reports. The following describes the safety reporting 
requirements by timeline for reporting and associated type of event: 
 
 Within 7 calendar days 
Any study event that is: 
– associated with the use of the study drug 
– unexpected,  
– fatal or life-threatening, and  
 
 Within 15 calendar days 
Any study event that is: 
– associated with the use of the study drug, 
– unexpected, and 
– serious, but not fatal or life-threatening 
-or- 
– a previous adverse event that was not initially deemed reportable but is later found to fit the 
criteria for reporting (reporting within 15 calendar days from when event was deemed 
reportable). 
Any finding from tests in laboratory animals that:  
– suggest a significant risk for human subjects including reports of mutagenicity, teratogenicity, 
or carcinogenicity. 
 
Additional reporting requirements 
Sponsors are also required to identify in IND safety reports all previous reports concerning similar adverse 
events and to analyze the significance of the current event in light of the previous reports. 
 
Reporting Process 
Adverse events may be submitted on FDA Form 3500A or in a narrative format. If supplied as in a narrative 
format, the minimum information to be supplied is noted above at the beginning of section 8.3.  
7.3.5 Sponsor reporting: Notifying participating investigators 
 
It is the responsibility of the study sponsor to notify all participating investigators, in a written IND safety 
report, of any adverse event associated with the use of the drug that is both serious and unexpected, as 
well as any finding from tests in laboratory animals that suggest a significant risk for human subjects.  
Additionally, sponsors are also required to identify in IND safety reports all previous reports concerning 
similar adverse events and to analyze the significance of the current event in light of the previous reports. 
7.4 
Unblinding Procedures 
 


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Unblinding the group in which the patient is randomized will only occur in exceptional circumstances when 
the knowledge of treatment is essential for the management of an individual patient. In emergency 
situations (e.g. anaphylaxis) the principal investigator may contact IDS to have the identity of the patient’s 
treatment drug revealed to help manage the patient more effectively. If this occurs, the unblinding procedure 
will be documented in the patient’s source documents. If emergency unblinding is needed, it will likely occur 
in the context of a serious adverse event and will be reported to the FDA along with the SAE. Unblinding 
will be reported similar to an SAE within 24 hours by phone or fax, followed by a written narrative of the 
event within 48 hours. 
7.5 
Stopping Rules  
The entire trial will stop if any investigator judges it necessary for medical, safety, regulatory, or other 
reasons consistent with applicable laws, regulations, or good clinical practice.  
7.6 
Medical Monitoring 
A. Safety Monitoring Plan: Overall safety oversight will be the responsibility of the data coordinating center 
PI (DCC PI).  Monitoring the study (across one or more study sites) is considerably facilitated by the use of 
a single electronic database 
which can be reviewed by the 
network PI, study site PI(s), and 
other investigators.  The DCC PI 
will monitor for adverse events 
that change study risk level and 
this will be communicated with 
the independent medical monitor 
if needed.  Adverse events at 
individual study sites will also be 
monitored by the site PI.  If an 
adverse event occurs which changes the study risk level, the DCC PI will immediately report this event to 
the DCC IRB (UNC IRB), inform the site PI(s), and oversee the process of modifying the study at the study 
site(s) as appropriate to address the change in risk.  The DCC PI will also provide annual reports 
summarizing AE data to the data coordinating center IRB (UNC IRB) and any other requesting IRB.  The 
site PI(s) will oversee patient safety at their site, with delegation of responsibilities to other investigators 
and designated study personnel as appropriate.  The DCC PI, together with their study site teams, will 
ensure that all entry criteria are met prior to the initiation of the protocol, and that all study procedures and 
reporting of adverse events are performed according to the protocol.  Serious adverse events (SAE's) will 
be monitored by the study site investigative teams in real time throughout the trial.   
Patient monitoring: An adverse event is any physical or clinical change experienced by the patient.  This 
includes the onset of new symptoms and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.  Adverse event 
assessments will be performed according to the following schedule: 
Adverse event monitoring after discharge: Adverse events will be assessed at each patient contact 
(telephone or text-messaged/emailed survey), which will occur weekly while on the study drug. 
Additional reporting: In addition to receiving these regular side effect assessments, patients will be given 
a toll free study number to reach the study team at the DCC, as well as telephone/pager numbers for 
individuals at the study site, and will be instructed to call these numbers if they experience any changes in 
their health status or if they have questions regarding the study medication. 
Category definitions for adverse events are shown in Table 7.  An electronic adverse event form will be 
completed for all unanticipated AEs.  The severity of the AE will be assessed a CTCAE grade will be 
recorded for each.  An investigator will also assess the relationship of any adverse event to study medication 
or procedures.  Severity assessments will be performed using the Common Toxicity Criteria 
(http://ctep.cancer.gov/).  The time table for reporting serious and other adverse events is shown in Table 
7. 
Unanticipated 
problems 
involving risks to participants or 
others, defined as any incident, 
experience or outcome that is both 
 
Serious AE 
Death 
Life threatening reaction 
Inpatient hospitalization prolonged, or rehospitalization 
Persistent or significant disability/incapacity 
Congenital anomaly/birth defect 
Represents other significant hazards or potentially serious 
harm to research subjects (similar to “important medical 
event”) 
Expected AE Known potential effect of the drug (based on drug description 
information from manufacturer) or disease process 
Table 7. Time table for reporting unanticipated adverse events. 
 
Unanticipated 
Serious AE 
One week 
Not Serious AE/other 
Two weeks 


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unexpected and related or possibly related to the research, will be reported to the IRB.  Unanticipated 
problems that are serious adverse events will be reported to the IRB within 1 week of the investigator 
becoming aware of the event.  Any other unanticipated problem will be reported to the IRB within 2 weeks 
of the investigator becoming aware of the problem. The study team will report all serious unanticipated 
adverse events to the DCC PI immediately, and will review all non-serious unanticipated adverse events 
with the PI within 24 hours.   
Patients with adverse events will be monitored with relevant clinical assessments (and laboratory tests 
if necessary) as determined by an investigator in collaboration with the patient’s care team.  All adverse 
events will be followed to satisfactory resolution or stabilization of the event(s).  Any actions taken and 
follow-up results will be recorded on the appropriate AE form and given a CTCAE grade. 
Appendix 2 describes the adverse event grading scale and management guidelines for potential 
adverse events related to the study drugs.  This chart covers a number of common adverse effects, but will 
not be comprehensive.  As other situations are encountered and managed by the study team, this decision 
rule chart will be updated and expanded so that it remains current and inclusive.   
Summary information regarding adverse events will be provided to the IRB at the time of annual IRB 
renewal.  As described below, medical monitor reports will also be submitted to the UNC IRB on a quarterly 
basis.  Criteria for stopping the study trial among all participants for review are shown in Appendix 2. 
 
Patients experiencing adverse effects that in the opinion of the investigators merit drug dosage 
adjustment will have their dosage advanced more slowly, or the next dose reduced or held as appropriate.  
If necessary, patients will be maintained on a lower dose, or their dose will be re-advanced depending on 
the nature of the side effect(s).  Patients who decline further participation and patients experiencing adverse 
effects that in the opinion of study investigators indicate that study drug should be stopped will be 
discontinued or tapered from study medication. 
Independent Medical Monitor: To handle individual problems that may require communication directly 
with physician caring for the patient, or if decision making involves altering the study drug administration on 
a patient level, an independent Medical Monitor will become involved. This is to avoid any conflicts of 
interest that may arise. Data Handling and Record Keeping 
7.7 
Confidentiality 
Information about study subjects will be kept confidential and managed according to the requirements of 
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).  Those regulations require a signed 
subject authorization informing the subject of the following:  
 What protected health information (PHI) will be collected from subjects in this study 
 Who will have access to that information and why 
 Who will use or disclose that information 
 The rights of a research subject to revoke their authorization for use of their PHI.  
 
In the event that a subject revokes authorization to collect or use PHI, the investigator, by regulation, retains 
the ability to use all information collected prior to the revocation of subject authorization.  For subjects that 
have revoked authorization to collect or use PHI, attempts will be made to obtain permission to collect at 
least vital status (i.e. that the subject is alive) at the end of their scheduled study period. 
7.8 
Source Documents 
Source data is all information, original records of clinical findings, observations, or other activities in a 
clinical trial necessary for the reconstruction and evaluation of the trial.  Source data are contained in source 
documents.  Examples of these original documents, and data records include: hospital records, clinical and 
office charts, laboratory notes, memoranda, subjects’ diaries or evaluation checklists, pharmacy dispensing 
records, recorded data from automated instruments, copies or transcriptions certified after verification as 
being accurate and complete, microfiches, photographic negatives, microfilm or magnetic media, x-rays, 
subject files, and records kept at the pharmacy, at the laboratories, and at medico-technical departments 
involved in the clinical trial. 


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7.9 
Case Report Forms (as applicable) 
The study case report form (CRF) is the primary data collection instrument for the study.  All data requested 
on the CRF will be recorded in RedCap.  All missing data will be noted.  If a space on the CRF is left blank 
because the procedure was not done or the question was not asked, “N/D” will be written.  If the item is not 
applicable to the individual case, “N/A” will be written.  All entries will be entered electronically in RedCap 
database.  If any entry error has been made, to correct such an error, a single straight line will be drawn 
through the incorrect entry and the correct data will be entered above it.  All such changes will be initialed 
and dated.   For clarification of illegible or uncertain entries, the clarification above the item will be printed 
initialed and dated. 
7.10 Records Retention 
Essential study documents (consents, paper questionnaires, screening forms) will be maintained for the 
duration of the IND. Data will not be de-identified/unlinked from original dataset to preserve the ability to 
contact patients should any unknown adverse events become known following the study. This data will be 
stored on a password encrypted server (RedCap at UNC). 
 
8 
Study Monitoring, Auditing, and Inspecting 
8.1 
Study Monitoring Plan 
This study will be monitored according to the monitoring plan described above.  The Investigator will also 
ensure that the monitor or other compliance or quality assurance reviewer is given access to all the above 
noted study-related documents and study related facilities (e.g. pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory, etc.), and 
has adequate space to conduct the monitoring visit. 
8.2 
Auditing and Inspecting 
The investigator will permit study-related monitoring, audits, and inspections by the IRB, the sponsor, 
government regulatory bodies, and University compliance and quality assurance groups of all study related 
documents (e.g. source documents, regulatory documents, data collection instruments, study data etc.).  
The investigator will ensure the capability for inspections of applicable study-related facilities (e.g. 
pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory, etc.). Risk based monitoring plan will include study site visits from study 
sponsor (Mauck) after 2, 5 and 10 enrolled patients at sites once non University of North Carolina sites 
become active. 
 
Participation as an investigator in this study implies acceptance of potential inspection by government 
regulatory authorities and applicable University compliance and quality assurance offices. 
9 
Ethical Considerations 
This study is to be conducted according to US and international standards of Good Clinical Practice (FDA 
Title 21 part 312 and International Conference on Harmonization guidelines), applicable government 
regulations and Institutional research policies and procedures. 
 
This protocol and any amendments will be submitted to a properly constituted independent Ethics 
Committee (EC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB), in agreement with local legal prescriptions, for formal 
approval of the study conduct.  The decision of the EC/IRB concerning the conduct of the study will be 
made in writing to the investigator and a copy of this decision will be provided to the sponsor before 
commencement of this study.  The investigator should provide a list of EC/IRB members and their affiliate 
to the sponsor. 
 
All subjects for this study will be provided a consent form describing this study and providing sufficient 
information for subjects to make an informed decision about their participation in this study.  See Appendix 
1 for a copy of the Subject Informed Consent Form.  This consent form will be submitted with the protocol 
for review and approval by the EC/IRB for the study.  The formal consent of a subject, using the EC/IRB-
approved consent form, must be obtained before that subject undergoes any study procedure.  The consent 


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form must be signed by the subject or legally acceptable surrogate, and the investigator-designated 
research professional obtaining the consent.  
10 Study Finances 
10.1 Funding Source 
This study is financed by the NIH BIRCWH K12 program at UNC, the UNC Department of Anesthesiology, 
and the Institute for Trauma Recovery.  
10.2 Conflict of Interest 
Any investigator who has a conflict of interest with this study (patent ownership, royalties, or financial gain 
greater than the minimum allowable by their institution, etc.) must have the conflict reviewed by a properly 
constituted Conflict of Interest Committee with a Committee-sanctioned conflict management plan that has 
been reviewed and approved by the study sponsor prior to participation in this study.  All UNC investigators 
will follow the University conflict of interest policy. 
10.3 Subject Stipends or Payments 
To compensate participants for their time for completing follow-up interviews, we will offer patients $35 for 
the enrollment interview. Participants will be contacted weekly for the subsequent 5 week and will be 
compensated $10 for each week’s survey completion. At 6 weeks, participants will be compensated $20 
for survey completion, $45 for blood collection, and $10 for study drug/bottle return, for a total of up to $75 
at the 6 week time point.. At the 3 and 6 month interviews, patients will be compensated $25 for each 
assessment completed. Participants will be compensated $10 at 9 months for a successful contact 
information update. Upon completion of the 12 month interview patients will receive $30.  The maximum 
amount that an individual study participant may receive is $250. 
11 Publication Plan 
Principal investigator, in coordination with investigative team will determine the publication plan as 
appropriate on an ongoing basis. We will make every effort to publish study results within 1 year of database 
completion.  
 
12 Data Management Plan 
RedCap will be used as our research database and is a secure, widely-used system for recording study 
information.  Access to enter data and view patient information will be password protected and accessed 
only by study personnel. At the time of enrollment or subsequent follow-up interview, data will be directly 
entered into RedCap. A codebook for the dataset will be compiled and saved along with the completed 
dataset. Our laboratory data manager will be responsible for assembling the final de-identified dataset 
and distribution to the study statistician for analysis. Completeness of the dataset will be determined as a 
percentage of non-missing data. When possible, reasons for missing values will be recorded (e.g. not 
applicable, refused to answer). Each research assistant that enters data in the system will be trained on 
mock patients and coding of patient responses will be checked. Data will be recorded by study sites 
directly into RedCap. Any discrepancies in coding will be handled by direct communication with study 
personnel at each study site.  
 
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Lappe J, Watson P, Travers-Gustafson D, et al. Effect of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation 
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14 Appendices  
 
 
 
14.1 Appendix 1: Adverse Event Monitoring Table 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  


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CONFIDENTIAL 
AE 
Relatedness 
CTCAE Grade 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
Back Pain 
 
Mild Pain 
Moderate pain; limiting 
instrumental ADL 
Severe pain; limiting self 
care ADL 
 
 
Possible 
O 
O 
O 
Probable 
O 
O 
SI 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
Gastrointestinal 
pain 
 
Mild Pain 
Moderate pain; limiting 
instrumental ADL 
Severe pain; limiting self 
care ADL 
 
 
Possible 
O 
O 
O 
Probable 
O 
O 
SI 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
Belching (or 
Flatulence) 
 
 
Mild symptoms; 
intervention not 
indicated 
Moderate; persistent; 
psychosocial sequelae 
 
 
 
Possible 
O 
O 
Probable 
O 
O 
Definite 
O 
SI 
Rash (maculo-
papular?) 
 
Macules/papules 
covering 
<10% BSA with or 
without 
symptoms (e.g., 
pruritus, 
burning, tightness) 
Macules/papules covering 
10 - 30% BSA with or 
without symptoms (e.g., 
pruritus, burning, 
tightness); limiting 
instrumental ADL 
Macules/papules covering 
>30% BSA with or without 
associated symptoms; 
limiting self care ADL 
 
 
Possible 
O 
O 
O 
Probable 
O 
O 
SI 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
Dysgeusia 
 
 
 
 
 
Altered taste but no 
change in diet 
Altered taste with change 
in diet 
(e.g., oral supplements); 
noxious or unpleasant 
taste; 
loss of taste 
 
 
 
Possible 
O 
O 
Probable 
O 
SI 
Definite 
O 
SI 
Bruising 
 
Localized or in a 
dependent area 
Generalized 
 
 
 
Possible 
O 
O 
Probable 
O 
O 
Definite 
O 
SI 
Hematoma 
 
Mild symptoms; 
intervention not 
indicated 
Minimally invasive 
evacuation or aspiration 
indicated 
Transfusion, radiologic, 
endoscopic, or elective 
operative intervention 
indicated 
Life-threatening 
consequences; urgent 
intervention indicated 
Death 
Possible 
O 
O 
SI 
SI 
 
Probable 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Atrial fibrillation 
 
Asymptomatic, 
intervention not 
indicated 
Non-urgent medical 
intervention 
indicated 
Symptomatic and 
incompletely controlled 
medically, or controlled with 
device (e.g., pacemaker), 
or ablation 
Life-threatening 
consequences; 
urgent intervention 
indicated 
Death 
Possible 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Probable 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 


Fish oil and Vitamin D in the prevention of chronic pain following thermal burn injury 
 
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Version: 1 
CONFIDENTIAL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atrial flutter 
 
Asymptomatic, 
intervention not 
indicated 
Non-urgent medical 
intervention 
indicated 
Symptomatic and 
incompletely 
controlled medically, or 
controlled with device (e.g., 
pacemaker), or ablation 
Life-threatening 
consequences; 
urgent intervention 
indicated 
Death 
Possible 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Probable 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Alanine 
aminotransferase 
(ALT) 
increased 
 
>ULN - 3.0 x ULN 
>3.0 - 5.0 x ULN 
>5.0 - 20.0 x ULN 
>20.0 x ULN 
 
Possible 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
Probable 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
Aspartate 
aminotransferase 
increased 
 
>ULN - 3.0 x ULN 
>3.0 - 5.0 x ULN 
>5.0 - 20.0 x ULN 
>20.0 x ULN 
 
 
 
 
Possible 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
Probable 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
SI 
Cholesterol high 
 
>ULN - 300 mg/dL; 
>ULN - 7.75 mmol/L 
>300 - 400 mg/dL; >7.75 
- 10.34 mmol/ 
>400 - 500 mg/dL; >10.34 
- 12.92 mmol/L 
>500 mg/dL; >12.92 
mmol/L 
 
 
 
Possible 
O 
O 
O 
SI 
Probable 
O 
O 
SI 
SI 
Definite 
O 
O 
SI 
SI 
Chills 
 
Mild sensation of cold; 
shivering; chattering 
of teeth 
Moderate tremor of the 
entire body; narcotics 
indicated 
Severe or prolonged, not 
responsive to narcotics 
 
 
Possible 
O 
RD 
SI 
Probable 
O 
SI 
SI 
Definite 
O 
SI 
SI 
Fever 
 
38-39ºC 
>39-40ºC 
>40ºC for <24 hours 
>40ºC for >24 hours 
Death 
Possible 
O 
O 
SI 
SI 
 
Probable 
SI 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Definite 
SI 
SI 
SI 
SI 
 
Criteria for stopping entire trial for review: The entire trial will stop if any investigator judges it necessary for medical, safety, regulatory, 
or other reasons consistent with applicable laws, regulations, or good clinical practice. 
Possible = The AE may be related to the intervention 
Probable = The AE is likely related to the intervention 
Definite = The AE is clearly related to the intervention 
*O = observe; SI = stop individual; ST = stop trial 
*Grades defined by NCI CTCAEv4.0 
*This chart covers many common adverse effects, but will not be comprehensive.  This chart is intended to provide guidelines for handling 
adverse events but ultimate judgment will be the responsibility of the investigator.  In addition, as other situations are encountered and 
managed by the study team, this decision guideline chart will be updated and expanded so that it remains current and fully inclusive.