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MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A) STUDY DESIGN: This will be an
institution-based, Unicentric, randomised placebo-controlled split-limb trial.
B)
STUDY SETTING AND TIMELINES: The study will be conducted at Dermatology Outdoor of
Bankura Sammilani Medical College & Hospital, a
tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.
TIMELINE
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Timeline
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Development of Case record form (CRF) and questionnaires and validating the
questionnaires in local language
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Recruitment of patients, treatment administration, follow up and
data collection
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Data entry, analysis, report writing and submission
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Dec 2023- Feb 2024
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March 2024 - Sep 2024
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Oct-Nov 2024
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C)
PLACE
OF STUDY: The study will be conducted at
Dermatology Outpatient Department of Bankura Sammilani Medical College & Hospital.
D)
PERIOD
OF STUDY: December 2023 to November 2024 (duration - 12
months) after obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee permission.
E)
STUDY
POPULATION: All the adult patients having pigmented purpuric dermatosis bilaterally
on the lower limbs, who have not received any treatment since 1 month.
F)
SAMPLE
SIZE/DESIGN:
The estimated sample size is 20 (with
10 per group) because there are few trials on the treatment of PPD and most
of the trials are outside India. The estimated sample size is based on the
number of patients with PPD visiting dermatology OPD of BSMCH per year. As
this will be a split-limb trial, total 10 patients will be recruited.
INCLUSION
CRITERIA
·
Age more than 18 years
to 80 years.
·
Pigmented purpuric
dermatosis patients who have not received any treatment since 1 month.
·
Pigmentation present
bilaterally on the lower limbs.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
·
Pregnant and
lactating women.
·
Patients having pigmented purpuric dermatosis at
sites other than lower limbs.
·
Those
having any skin disease other than pigmented purpuric dermatosis on the lower
limb(s).
·
Patients with
psychiatric disorders.
·
Participation in any
clinical trial within the last 3 months.
·
Non-consenting
patients
G)
RANDOMIZATION
AND BLINDING:
Each
limb of the eligible participants will be randomized into either group A
(receiving Q-switched Nd:YAG LASER) or group B (receiving placebo).
Randomization
will be done by a computer generated random number table using Winpepi
software ETCETERA version 2.32 of WINPEPI (PEPI-for-Windows) program. Allocation
concealment will be done by SNOSE (sequentially numbered opaque sealed
envelope) technique.
Blinding:
The study will be rendered participant-blind so the patients will be
unaware of the difference in the treatment procedure between the two lower
limbs – Nd:YAG laser on one limb and blank fire on the other limb.
H)
TREATMENT
GROUPS:
Each
limb of the eligible participants will be randomized into -
i.
Group A (receiving Q-switched
Nd:YAG LASER)
ii.
Group B (receiving placebo)
I)
STUDY
VARIABLES:
1. Demographic
profile
2. Serial
digital imaging
3. Biochemical
and haematological parameters
4. DLQI
5.
Skin Hyperpigmentation Index(SHI) score
6. Cost
of therapy
7. Physicians
and patients overall improvement score (Likert scale)
J) DATA COLLECTION AND
INTERPRETATION:
This study will be conducted after
getting permission from Institutional Ethics Committee. All adult patients
attending Dermatology OPD presenting with pigmented purpuric dermatosis will
be included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Proper
written informed consent from each patient shall be obtained after explaining
the study procedure in their own language.
K)
STUDY
TOOLS:
·
Clinical history
·
General survey and
systemic examination
·
Case record form
(CRF)
·
Adverse effect
checklist.
·
Complete hemogram
(Hb, TC, DC, ESR, Platelets)
·
ICTC
·
Fasting blood sugar,
urea, creatinine, liver function test
·
Digital camera
·
Pencil, rubber and
pen
·
Q-switched Nd:YAG
LASER machine (with all the equipments required)
·
EMLA (Eutectic
mixture of local anaesthetics)
·
Moisturizers
L) VISITS AND FOLLOW-UPS:
Baseline
(0 weeks):
1. The
patients will be enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
2. Written
informed consent will be obtained from the patients.
3. All
patients were referred to Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) and
HIV status will be obtained.
4. Randomization
will be done.
5. Detailed history taking and meticulous clinical examination
will be done with reference to the hyperpigmentation.
6. Laboratory
parameters of routine hemogram, fasting blood glucose, serum urea, creatinine
and liver function tests will be done.
7. CRF
will be filled.
8. Photograph
will be taken.
9. EMLA
will be applied 45 minutes prior to the procedure.
10. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with spot size 5, PRR (pulse repetition rate)=4
and fluence 600 mJ/pulse and placebo (blank fires) will be given according to
randomization.
11. SHI & DLQI calculated.
12. The patients will be advised to come after 4 weeks.
1st
follow-up (4 weeks):
1. Photograph
will be taken.
2. EMLA
will be applied 45 minutes prior to the procedure.
3. According to randomization, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with spot size 5, PRR
(pulse repetition rate)=4 and fluence 800 mJ/pulse and placebo (blank
fires)will be given.
4. CRF
will be filled.
5. Any
adverse events noted.
6. The patients will be advised to come after 4 weeks.
2nd
follow-up (8 weeks):
1. Photograph
will be taken.
2. EMLA
will be applied 45 minutes prior to the procedure.
3. According to randomization, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with spot size 5, PRR
(pulse repetition rate)=4 and fluence 1000 mJ/pulse and placebo (blank fires)will
be given.
4. SHI & DLQI calculated in the 2nd follow-up.
5. CRF
will be filled.
6. Any
adverse events noted.
7. The patients will be advised to come after 4 weeks.
3rd
follow-up (12 weeks)/End of active treatment visit:
1. Photograph
will be taken.
2. EMLA
will be applied 45 minutes prior to the procedure.
3. According to randomization, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with spot size 5, PRR
(pulse repetition rate)=4 and fluence 1200 mJ/pulse and placebo (blank
fires)will be given.
4. CRF
will be filled.
5. Any
adverse events noted.
6. The patients will be advised to come after 4 weeks.
4th
follow-up (16 weeks)/Test of cure visit:
1. SHI & DLQI calculated.
2. CRF
will be filled.
3. Changes
in laboratory values of routine hemogram, fasting blood glucose, serum urea,
creatinine and liver function tests will be recorded.
4. Any
adverse events noted.
M) TREATMENT PROCEDURES:
All eligible
patients of pigmented purpuric dermatosis after inclusion and exclusion
criteria, objective examination will be done and photograph of skin lesion of
the patient will be taken for future comparison with next follow up. EMLA
will be applied 120 minutes prior to the procedure. As per randomization, one
lower limb of the patients will be treated with Q-switched Nd:YAG LASER at
1064 nm with spot size of 5 mm and PRR (pulse repetition rate) =4.
Fluence of Q-Switched Nd:YAG is increased by 200 mJ/pulse in every session (
i.e. 600 mJ/pulse in first session, 800 mJ/pulse in 2nd session, 1000 mJ/pulse
in 3rd session and 1200 mJ/pulse in 4th session). If patient can’t tolerate
subsequent session and adverse reaction appears due to that fluence, the
fluence used in previous session will be continued in the next session. The
other lower limb will be treated with blank fire (placebo). Patients will be
advised to apply moisturizers and sunscreen regularly. They will be asked to
follow up every four weeks interval.
During every
follow up patients will examined for any adverse effect and looked for
improvement by comparing the lesion with previous photograph taken at
baseline visit. SHI & DLQI will be calculated at baseline, 2nd&
4th follow-ups. A photograph will be taken again just before
another session of Q-switched Nd:YAG LASER. And this procedure will be
continued in all the session. Patient will be advised to use only sunscreen
and emollients. Patient may be given symptomatic treatment according to any
adverse effect.
N) EFFECTIVENESS PARAMETERS:
The
primary effectiveness parameter is the statistically-significant pigmentation
reduction objectively calculated by skin hyperpigmentation index (SHI), in
comparison with placebo.
O)
SAFETY PARAMETERS:
Vital
signs, spontaneously reported adverse events and those elicited by the
clinician will be assessed at each follow-up. Changes in laboratory values of
routine hemogram, fasting blood glucose, serum urea, creatinine and liver
function tests will be recorded at baseline and 3rd follow-up.
P) QUALITY OF LIFE PARAMETERS:
Quality
of life in patients with trophic ulcer due to leprosy will be assessed by a
validated vernacular (Bengali) version of Dermatology Life Quality Index
(DLQI)[http://www.dermatology.org.uk/downloads/DLQI_Bengali.pdf], which
consists of 10 questions, each scored between 0 and 3.
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