Extrait

Background and study aims End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the complete or almost complete failure of the kidneys to function. Dialysis or kidney transplantation are the only treatments that can help patients with this condition. In addition, these patients need to take a range of medicines, such as for blood pressure control, anaemia, and bone and mineral management. Haemodialysis (HD) is the most common dialysis treatment, and usually involves lengthy out-patient treatment sessions three times a week, placing significant burdens on the patient and their family or carers. A small number of patients can administer dialysis at home. A large proportion of ESRD patients suffer from depression (about 20%) which impairs quality of life (QoL), reduces their capacity to manage their own medications, increases the risks of other illnesses, and reduces life expectancy. In addition, many ESRD patients also suffer from poor energy levels and tiredness, and we are interested in how these symptoms relate to depression. Effective treatments, both psychological and drug-based, exist for moderate to severe depression. Effective drugs include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). ESRD patients have unique medical and psychological pressures, and it is unclear whether a SSRI is helpful for this group of patients. There are a very small number of limited studies in patients with this condition, so we do not know whether a SSRI is effective, whether there may be additional side effects, or even whether ESRD patients with depression would wish to take additional medication, such as a SSRI. The aim of this study is to examine these issues to allow us to work out the practicability of undertaking a larger study to formally answer these questions. Who can participate? Adults aged 18 or over with ESRD and receiving haemodialysis. What does the study involve? The study is split into three phases. Phase one will evaluate the number of ESRD patients who are diagnosed with depression. Phase two will assess the feasibility of conducting a drug trial in this group of patients by assessing the number who take part and evaluating their outcomes including the safety of sertraline in ESRD patients. Phase three will explore the patient experience of participating in a trial and taking additional medication. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either sertraline (a licensed SSRI) or a placebo (dummy) drug. They will remain on the study medication and followed up for 6 months. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Firstly, we will be able to tell you if you suffer from depression. Secondly, you will have the opportunity of joining the clinical trial. We cannot promise the trial will help you, but if you receive treatment with sertraline your mood may improve. You will have extra contacts with the nursing and medical staff including the psychiatrist throughout the study period of 6 months, who will monitor you carefully. You will be asked questions about your mood by the psychiatrist and by completing questionnaires. Occasionally these questions can be a bit upsetting so it is important to remember that you do not have to answer any questions you do not want to. We cannot promise the trial will help you. You will not know if you are taking sertraline or the placebo. This means that you could feel better but you could also feel worse and your depression may get worse. Where is the study run from? East and North Herts NHS Trust and the University of Hertfordshire (UK). When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? April 2013 to February 2015. Who is funding the study? National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK). Who is the main contact? Prof Ken Farrington [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Topic: Mental Health, Renal disorders; Subtopic: Depression, Renal disorders; Disease: Depression

Liens

• isrctn
• ictrp