Polyethylene Glycol Versus Lactulose on Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Cirrhosis;(PEGHE Trial) (PEGHE)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04436601
• Recruitment Status: Recruiting
• First Posted: June 18, 2020
• Last Update Posted: April 19, 2023
• Sponsor: Aga Khan University
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Om Parkash, Aga Khan University

Study Description

Brief Summary:

Hepatic Encephaopathy is a common complication occurring in patients with Liver cirrhosis. Patients usually develop mild confusion, sleep disturbance or obtundation. It occurs due to accumulation of excess ammonia in the brain, as the liver is unable to metabolize the ammonia. The common gold standard treatment recommended for patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy is Lactulose syrup. This is a non absorbable sugar, often combined with an antibiotic called Rifaxamine to treat this condition.

Polyethylene glycol is in a class of medications called osmotic laxatives which works by causing water to be retained with the stool. PEG and lactulose, when used together, result in faster resolution of symptoms suggesting that PEG may be superior to standard lactulose therapy in these patients.

Non-absorbable sugars like lactulose are associated with non-serious (mainly gastrointestinal) adverse events like diarrhea and bloating Hence, due to the side effect profile, newer drugs continue to be tested for treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy.

The aim of this research project is to compare the effect of PEG versus lactulose for treatment of HE in patients with liver cirrhosis. The investigators want to compare the resolution of HE as the main outcome. In addition, they will compare length of stay, non-serious (mainly gastrointestinal) adverse events, and 3 months outcome. The investigators hypothesize that rapid purgation of the gut using PEG may resolve HE more effectively than lactulose.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Hepatic Encephalopathy	Drug: Polyethylene Glycols; Drug: Lactulose	Phase 4

Detailed Description:

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common neuropsychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis manifested by mild confusion, sleep disturbance or obtundation. Lactulose treatment has long been the standard of care, which presumably acidifies stool and eradicates toxic metabolites. However a third of these patients with hepatic encephalopathy do not respond to this standard treatment and have refractory HE. Hence newer drugs with effective improvement in HE and better side effect profile are still being tested.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is in a class of medications called osmotic laxatives which works by causing water to be retained with the stool. PEG and lactulose, when used together, result in rapid overt HE resolution within 24 hours compared to the standard-of-care lactulose, suggesting that PEG may be superior to standard lactulose therapy in patients with cirrhosis hospitalized for acute HE.

Rationale Non-absorbable disaccharides like lactulose are associated with non-serious (mainly gastrointestinal) adverse events like diarrhea and bloating, hence, due to the side effect profile, newer drugs continue to be tested for treatment of HE.

Hypothesis and Aim The aim of this research project is to compare the effect of PEG with Lactulose for treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis. The investigators want to compare the resolution of HE as the main outcome. In addition, they would compare length of stay, non-serious (mainly gastrointestinal) adverse events, and 3 months outcome. The investigators hypothesize that rapid purgation of the gut using PEG may resolve HE more effectively than lactulose.

These aims are original in that the investigators aim to test this hypothesis on a different patient population (South Asian), where the predominant cause of cirrhosis is due to viral hepatitis C and B. In addition,the investigators will also look at the effect of PEG v lactulose on 3 months outcome in this study.

Significance The significance of this proposal is that if the investigators can prove the hypothesis, it will add to the currently limited evidence on use of PEG in treatment of HE in the world. PEG might have a better side effect profile when compared to lactulose. Based on current market pricing of lactulose, if PEG is found to have favorable outcome then it might be more cost effective as well. Hence PEG might be a useful alternative in 30% of those who don't respond to lactulose, if PEG shows favorable outcome.

Objective Primary: To determine the effect of PEG versus Lactulose on resolution of HE in patients with liver cirrhosis during inpatient stay at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours .

Secondary: To determine the effect of Lactulose versus PEG on length of stay, and 3 months outcome in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Estimated Enrollment: 102 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
• Masking Description: It would be a double blinded study. Investigator assessing the participants and following the patient will be masked to the allocation of treatment group. Participants would be masked to their treatment group as well.
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Versus Lactulose on Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis; a Randomized Clinical Trial (PEGHE Trial)
• Actual Study Start Date: March 9, 2020
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: December 30, 2023
• Estimated Study Completion Date: December 30, 2023

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Active Comparator: Lactulose; 90 ml of Lactulose dissolved in 750 ml of water administered orally by mouth or nasogastric tube (three doses within 24 hrs) continued up to 72 hours or until patient discharge, whichever comes first.	Drug: Lactulose; Lactulose (standard of care) will be administered to half of the study patients and their response recorded.
Experimental: PEG: Polyethylene Glycol; Three or four sachet of Movicol(PEG) will be dissolved in 750 ml of water and will be given over 24 hrs as 3 doses orally by mouth or Nasogastric tube and will continue up to 72 hours or until patient discharge, whichever comes first	Drug: Polyethylene Glycols; Polyethylene glycol will be administered to half of the study patients, and their response recorded and compared with that of the Lactulose arm.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Resolution of Hepatic Encephalopathy [ Time Frame: Change in HESA score at 24 hours, 48 hours and if applicable, 72 hours of drug administration ]
   Calculated using Hepatic Encephalopathy scoring Algorithm (HESA). Resolution is defined as reduction of at least 1 grade of HESA score after 24 hours, 48 hours and if applicable 72 hours of therapy during hospital stay

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Mean Length of inpatient stay in hours [ Time Frame: at time of patient discharge, an average of 72 hours ]
   Duration of hospital stay will be recorded in hours
2. 3 months outcome (readmission with Hepatic Encephalopathy) [ Time Frame: The three month outcome will be assessed at clinic follow-up at 3 month or by phone call if patient is lost to follow up ]
   Patient will be asked at 3 month follow up if there was any other readmission anywhere with Hepatic Encephalopathy

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All patients of 18-80 years admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital
2. With Chronic liver disease: Chronic liver disease will be defined based on ultra-sonographic evidence of chronic liver disease including shrunken liver, dilated portal vein, splenomegaly.
3. With Hepatic encephalopathy; Hepatic encephalopathy will be defined as the onset of disorientation or asterixis according to The International Society for Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism consensus and will be assessed using HESA score
4. Presence of first degree relative for consent (Next of kin)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Allergy to PEG
2. Bowel obstruction or perforation diagnosed clinically or on Xray
3. Major psychiatric illness; on benzodiazepines
4. Treated with locally acting antibiotics (rifaximin) in the previous 7 days;
5. Active gastrointestinal tract bleeding
6. Acute Liver failure:defined as coagulopathy (international normalized ratio >1.5) with any degree of AMS in the absence of underlying chronic liver disease (CLD)
7. Female patients if pregnant or lactating

Contacts and Locations

Contacts

Contact: Om Parkash; +923333509749; om.parkash@aku.edu

Contact: Asra tus Saleha Siddiqui; +923323262516; asra.siddiqui@aku.edu

Locations

Pakistan

Aga Khan University; Recruiting

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, 75290

Contact: Om Parkash +923333509749 om.parkash@aku.edu

Sponsors and Collaborators

Aga Khan University

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Om Parkash; Aga Khan University

More Information

Publications:

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Sharma P, Sharma BC, Sarin SK. Predictors of nonresponse to lactulose in patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 May;22(5):526-31. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e3283341b7d.

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Romero-Gomez M, Jover M, Del Campo JA, Royo JL, Hoyas E, Galan JJ, Montoliu C, Baccaro E, Guevara M, Cordoba J, Soriano G, Navarro JM, Martinez-Sierra C, Grande L, Galindo A, Mira E, Manes S, Ruiz A. Variations in the promoter region of the glutaminase gene and the development of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis: a cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2010 Sep 7;153(5):281-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-153-5-201009070-00002.

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Zuberi BF, Alvi H, Zuberi FF, Rasheed T, Nawaz Z, Fatima-Tuz-Zohra. Frequency of minimal hepatic encepalopathy in illeterate patients with compensated cirrhosis. Pak J Med Sci. 2016 May-Jun;32(3):595-8. doi: 10.12669/pjms.323.9655.

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Williams R, Bass N. Rifaximin, a nonabsorbed oral antibiotic, in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy: antimicrobial activity, efficacy, and safety. Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2005;5 Suppl 1:S10-8.

Kimer N, Krag A, Moller S, Bendtsen F, Gluud LL. Systematic review with meta-analysis: the effects of rifaximin in hepatic encephalopathy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Jul;40(2):123-32. doi: 10.1111/apt.12803. Epub 2014 May 21.

Rahimi RS, Singal AG, Cuthbert JA, Rockey DC. Lactulose vs polyethylene glycol 3350--electrolyte solution for treatment of overt hepatic encephalopathy: the HELP randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Nov;174(11):1727-33. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.4746.

Rockey DC, Vierling JM, Mantry P, Ghabril M, Brown RS Jr, Alexeeva O, Zupanets IA, Grinevich V, Baranovsky A, Dudar L, Fadieienko G, Kharchenko N, Klaryts'ka I, Morozov V, Grewal P, McCashland T, Reddy KG, Reddy KR, Syplyviy V, Bass NM, Dickinson K, Norris C, Coakley D, Mokhtarani M, Scharschmidt BF; HALT-HE Study Group. Randomized, double-blind, controlled study of glycerol phenylbutyrate in hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatology. 2014 Mar;59(3):1073-83. doi: 10.1002/hep.26611.

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases; European Association for the Study of the Liver. Hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease: 2014 practice guideline by the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. J Hepatol. 2014 Sep;61(3):642-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.05.042. Epub 2014 Jul 8. No abstract available. Erratum In: J Hepatol. 2015 Oct;63(4):1055.

Gluud LL, Vilstrup H, Morgan MY. Non-absorbable disaccharides versus placebo/no intervention and lactulose versus lactitol for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 18;4:CD003044. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003044.pub3.

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Naderian M, Akbari H, Saeedi M, Sohrabpour AA. Polyethylene Glycol and Lactulose versus Lactulose Alone in the Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Cirrhosis: A Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial. Middle East J Dig Dis. 2017 Jan;9(1):12-19. doi: 10.15171/mejdd.2016.46.

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Hassanein TI, Hilsabeck RC, Perry W. Introduction to the Hepatic Encephalopathy Scoring Algorithm (HESA). Dig Dis Sci. 2008 Feb;53(2):529-38. doi: 10.1007/s10620-007-9895-0. Epub 2007 Aug 21.

Lee WM, Stravitz RT, Larson AM. Introduction to the revised American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Position Paper on acute liver failure 2011. Hepatology. 2012 Mar;55(3):965-7. doi: 10.1002/hep.25551. No abstract available.

Mendez-Sanchez N, Aguilar-Ramirez JR, Reyes A, Dehesa M, Juorez A, Castneda B, Sanchez-Avila F, Poo JL, Guevara Gonzalez L, Lizardi J, Valdovinos MA, Uribe M, Contreras AM, Tirado P, Aguirre J, Rivera-Benitez C, Santiago-Santiago R, Bosques-Padilla F, Munoz L, Guerroro A, Ramos M, Rodriguez-Hernandez H, Jacobo-Karam J; Grupo de Estudio, Asociacion Mexicana de Hepatologia. Etiology of liver cirrhosis in Mexico. Ann Hepatol. 2004 Jan-Mar;3(1):30-3.

• Responsible Party: Om Parkash, Assistant Professor, Aga Khan University
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04436601
• Other Study ID Numbers: 191002MED
• First Posted: June 18, 2020
• Last Update Posted: April 19, 2023
• Last Verified: April 2023

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No
• Plan Description: Combined data, relevant to the study publication will be made available

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No
• Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: No

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Hepatic Encephalopathy; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Liver Failure; Hepatic Insufficiency; Liver Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Brain Diseases, Metabolic; Metabolic Diseases; Lactulose; Gastrointestinal Agents