Using glucocorticoids to relieve acute osteoarthritis pain in the emergency department
Systemic Oral Glucocorticoids for the Treatment of Acute Osteoarthritis Pain in the Emergency Department
This study is testing if adding glucocorticoids to regular pain medications can help adults with sudden osteoarthritis pain feel better in the emergency department.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 192 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WellSpan Health Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (York, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06603662 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of oral glucocorticoids combined with standard pain medications against standard pain medications alone in adults experiencing acute joint pain due to osteoarthritis. The study will assess both the pain relief provided by the glucocorticoids and their safety and tolerability for short-term use. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the glucocorticoids or a placebo, with pain scores evaluated three days after treatment initiation. The goal is to determine if glucocorticoids can enhance pain management in emergency settings for osteoarthritis patients.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with acute joint pain in the knee, hip, or shoulder due to osteoarthritis.
Not a fit: Patients with recent trauma to the affected joint or those with other inflammatory joint conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide more effective pain relief for patients suffering from acute osteoarthritis pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes with glucocorticoid injections for osteoarthritis pain, but this oral approach is less commonly tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Acute monoarticular arthritic joint pain affecting native knee, hip, or shoulder presumed to be related to osteoarthritis * Acute pain above baseline starting less than 72 hour prior to ED visit * Planned discharge from the ED * History of osteoarthritis of the affected joint based on radiography performed at index visit or prior available imaging Exclusion Criteria: * Trauma to the affected joint within 30 days * Injection of affected joint within 60 days * Prior arthroplasty of the affected joint * History of coronary artery disease, severe gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric/peptic ulcer disease, chronic kidney disease with GFR less than 30, or platelet disorders (including von Willebrand disease, hemophilia, severe thrombocytopenia with platelets less than 50 k/mcL) * Joint pain suspected to be related to rheumatoid arthritis, gout, septic arthritis, or other non-osteoarthritis autoimmune/inflammatory/infectious arthritis * Chronic/baseline use of glucocorticoids (greater than 5 mg daily prednisone or equivalent within previous 7 days) or NSAIDs (daily use for more than 2 days prior to presentation) * Daily prescription opioid use or active opioid use disorder * Illicit drug use * Known allergy/intolerance to ibuprofen/NSAIDs, prednisone, dexamethasone, or other medication precluding ability to participate in one or more study arms * Other contraindications to ibuprofen/NSAIDs or glucocorticoids * Planned hospitalization from the ED * Pregnancy * Incarceration * Inability to provide informed consent * Other conditions that would preclude compliance with the study protocol and medication dosing
Where this trial is running
York, Pennsylvania
- WellSpan York Hospital — York, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Brent Becker, MD — WellSpan Health
- Study coordinator: Kristen Oliff Oliff
- Email: koliff@wellspan.org
- Phone: 717-812-5075
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.