Using glucocorticoids to relieve acute osteoarthritis pain in the emergency department

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.