Clinical trial NCT00228995: A Phase II Study to Assess Changes in Physical Function in Elderly Patients With Chronic Anemia
Official title: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Study to Assess Changes in Physical Function in Elderly Patients With Idiopathic Anemia of Aging (IAA) Receiving Epoetin Alfa (PROCRIT�)
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: TERMINATED
Phase: PHASE2
Conditions: Anemia
Aged
Hemoglobins
Keywords: Anemia
Subcutaneous injection
PROCRIT
Erythropoietin
Epoetin Alfa
Hemoglobin Level
Elderly
Lead sponsor: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.
Sponsor class: INDUSTRY
Collaborators: name: Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
First posted: 2005-09-29
Enrollment: 9
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 65
Standard ages: OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to assess changes in physical function in elderly patients (\>= 65 years of age) with chronic anemia (Hb \<= 11.0 g/dL) due to anemia of unknown cause and receiving weekly subcutaneous doses of Epoetin alfa (PROCRITÂ®) versus placebo.

Detailed description: .Some elderly patients have anemia (reduction in hemoglobin level, or low red cell count) without obvious cause. Anemia occurs commonly with aging and is a frequent medical condition in individuals over the age of 65. Physical performance and function is worse in individuals who are anemic. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study to assess physical function (to include falls) and fatigue in approximately 80 elderly patients with chronic anemia (anemia present for at least 3 months) and who are receiving weekly Epoetin alfa. The study will also evaluate hemoglobin levels (oxygen carrying protein in red blood cells), safety, fatigue and cognitive function. The study hypothesis is to demonstrate the study drug will be more effective in treatment of chronic anemia than placebo, resulting in the improvement of physical function and subsequent disabilities, with minimal adverse events and the study drug is generally well-tolerated. The patients will receive weekly injections of Epoetin alfa (PROCRIT®) or placebo at a starting dose of 10,000 units administered subcutaneously (under the skin).

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a history of chronic anemia defined as a documented Hb value of \<= 11.0 g/dL
* No active cancer
* At least 65 years of age with life expectancy of \> 6 months
* Community dwelling patients
* Patients with a Short Physical Performance (SPPB) Summary Score of 4-10 at screening and baseline
* Patients with a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \>= 24

Exclusion Criteria:

* Positive stool guaiac test
* Diagnosis of multiple myeloma and/or MGUS
* History of venous thromboembolytic disease
* Previous treatment with Epoetin alfa, Darbepoetin or any form of erythropoietin recently
* Uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease

Primary outcomes:
measure: To assess the change in physical function from baseline to end of study as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) summary score.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: To assess: Efficacy of Procrit by achieving a target Hb of 12.5-12.9 g/dL; Change in FACT-An score; Change in Six-Minute Walk Test, Safety (Adverse Event incidence, Lab Tests, and Vitals); Cognitive function; Number and type of injuries from falls
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.
name: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L. C. Clinical Trial
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: