Topical Menthol +/- Mannitol for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Sponsor
University of British Columbia (Other)
Overall Status
Completed
CT.gov ID
NCT02728687
Collaborator
(none)
72
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2
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Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Treatments for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) are not very effective and have multiple side effects. To find out if a menthol cream alone or with added mannitol treats PDPN effectively, 90 participants with PDPN, after one month of observation, will receive randomly assigned menthol cream or the same cream with mannitol added for 3 months with a crossover for 3 additional months. At time 0, 1,4 and 7 months their BPI pain severity and interference scores, DN4 scores, cream % effectiveness and side effects will be compared.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
Phase 1/Phase 2

Detailed Description

Purpose: to find out if a menthol cream containing mannitol is more effective than the same cream without mannitol in relieving painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). The test cream which will, at a later date, be marketed as QR cream contains Water, Mannitol, Propylene glycol, Isopropyl palmitate. Caprylic capric triglyceride, Ceteareth 20, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Polyethylene glycol 100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Menthol, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl glycerin, Phenoxyethanol. The control cream contains the same ingredients minus the mannitol.

Hypothesis: a menthol cream containing mannitol is more effective at relieving the pain, the physical limitations and the emotional distress caused by PDPN than the same cream without mannitol.

Justification: PDPN is common and can be disabling because of the intensity of the pain it can cause. Less than 50% of those suffering from this condition get adequate pain relief from their current medications. The oral medications, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, NSAIDS, marijuana derivatives and narcotics have numerous side effects and are potentially addictive. Topical local anaesthetics have short-lived effect over only a small area and topical capsaicin often causes burning on application and prolonged use destroys the affected nerves. A previous study has demonstrated mannitol's effectiveness in down regulating the capsaicin receptor which is believed to cause the burning sensation of PDPN. A cream containing mannitol has few side effects, and, if effective, may decrease the need for other, more dangerous medications.

Objectives: to show that a menthol cream containing mannitol is more effective, over a period of 28 weeks, than the same cream without mannitol at relieving the pain, the physical limitations and the emotional distress caused by PDPN.

Research Design: this is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 3 visits.

Participants who are taking medications or insulin to treat diabetes will have on/off vibration test on the hallux of each foot. If at least 5 of their 8 vibration tests are erroneous or "I don't know", their score on the DN4 questionnaire is >4/10 they will be enrolled.

After 1 month's observation period, 90 participants will be given either a menthol cream with mannitol or the same cream without mannitol to apply to their feet for 3 months, following which the creams will be crossed over for an additional 3 months. Which cream is to be applied in the first 3 months will be chosen at random. Participants and clinicians will be blinded as to cream assignment for the duration of the study. Participants will be instructed to rub the cream on their feet and the tender nerves supplying their feet, 2 to 4 times daily, as needed for pain relief.

At 0,1,4 and 7 month, their BPI pain severity and interference scores, DN4 scores, cream % effectiveness and side effects will be recorded. At 4 and 7 months, they will be compared.

Statistical Analysis: primary endpoint, BPI pain interference scores (how much pain interferes with function and relationships) . t-tests will compare the difference between the maximum daily pain interference score for the menthol cream as compared with the mannitol and menthol cream at 4 and 7 months. Secondary endpoints: BPI pain severity score and DN4 score (how many symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are registered), % cream effectiveness, incidence of side effects.

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Actual Enrollment :
72 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Crossover Assignment
Masking:
Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose:
Treatment
Official Title:
A Double Blind, Randomized Crossover Study of Efficacy and Safety of Topical Menthol, With and Without Mannitol, in the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Actual Study Start Date :
Mar 15, 2017
Actual Primary Completion Date :
Mar 30, 2020
Actual Study Completion Date :
Dec 18, 2020

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Mannitol and menthol cream

Mannitol and menthol cream (Water, Mannitol, Propylene glycol, Isopropyl palmitate. Caprylic capric triglyceride, Ceteareth 20, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Polyethylene glycol 100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Menthol, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl glycerin, Phenoxyethanol) applied as needed, up to 4 times daily for one month, to the feet of a person suffering from painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. During the other month, the menthol cream will be applied to the participant's feet. Whether the mannitol and menthol cream will be given in the first or the second month will be chosen at random. At the end of the 2 months, if the participant chooses this cream, they will be given 3 months' supply of the cream to apply as needed to both feet.

Drug: Mannitol
Apply cream as needed up to 4 times daily to the painful foot and leg
Other Names:
  • QR cream
  • Drug: Menthol
    Apply cream as needed up to 4 times daily to the painful foot and leg

    Active Comparator: Menthol cream

    Cream containing menthol (Water, Propylene glycol, Isopropyl palmitate. Caprylic capric triglyceride, Ceteareth 20, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Polyethylene glycol 100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Menthol, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl glycerin, Phenoxyethanol) applied as needed, up to 4 times daily for one month, to the feet of a person suffering from painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. During the other month, the mannitol and menthol cream will applied to the participant's feet. Whether the menthol cream will be given in the first or the second month will be chosen at random. At the end of the 2 months, if the participant chooses this cream, they will be given 3 months' supply of the cream to apply as needed to both feet.

    Drug: Menthol
    Apply cream as needed up to 4 times daily to the painful foot and leg

    Outcome Measures

    Primary Outcome Measures

    1. BPI pain interference improvement 3 months [3 month]

      Compares the change in BPI pain interference score after 3 months of cream use for menthol and mannitol cream and menthol cream alone.

    Secondary Outcome Measures

    1. Maximum BPI pain severity improvement 3 months [3 months]

      Compares the change in maximum BPI pain severity score after 3 months of cream use for menthol and mannitol cream and menthol cream alone.

    2. NH4 improvement 3 month [3 months]

      Compares the change in NH4 score after 3 months of cream use for menthol and mannitol cream and menthol cream alone.

    3. % improvement from cream use [3 months]

      Compares the % improvement from cream use after 3 months of cream use for menthol and mannitol cream and menthol cream alone.

    4. Satisfaction score [3 months]

      Compares the Satisfaction score from cream use after 3 months of cream use for menthol and mannitol cream and menthol cream alone.

    5. incidence of side effects [3 months]

      Compares the incidence of side effects from cream use after 3 months of cream use for menthol and mannitol cream and menthol cream alone.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Criteria

    Ages Eligible for Study:
    19 Years to 90 Years
    Sexes Eligible for Study:
    All
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
    No
    Inclusion Criteria:
    • • 19 years of age or older

    • Are currently being treated for diabetes with medications or insulin

    • Suffering from painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting their feet for at least three months.

    • Maximum daily pain or discomfort score in each foot greater than or equal to 5/10.

    • Score on the DN4 questionnaire at least 4/10

    • At least 5 incorrect or I don't know responses to 8 on/off vibration tests

    • Able and willing to attend Dr. Helene Bertrand's office three times.

    Exclusion Criteria:
    • • Known Allergies to any of the ingredients of the cream

    • Open lesions diabetic foot ulcers or abrasions on the skin where the cream will be applied

    • Unwilling to stop using other topical products (creams or patches) for the treatment of their neuropathic pain at least 14 days before joining this study.

    • Pain in each foot which varies by more than 2/10 from day-to-day

    • Pregnant (a urine pregnancy test will be done on women younger than 50 at their first visit )

    • breast-feeding,

    • Women of reproductive age and not using the following methods of contraception:

    1. Hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch (Ortho Evra), vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing), injectable contraceptives (DepoProvera, Lunelle), or hormone implant (Norplant System)

    2. Double-barrier method

    3. Non-hormonal intrauterine devices

    4. Vasectomy of partner

    • Limited standing or walking from any cause (back, knees, feet, etc) other than diabetic neuropathic pain.

    • Giving a history or exhibiting clinical signs of other causes of neuropathic pain such as spinal claudication, severe back pain on standing or walking, or a history of having received chemotherapy.

    • Pain extending above the ankles.

    • Those with ischemic peripheral vascular disease

    • Those receiving acupuncture or using a TENS machine Those undergoing hydrotherapy

    • Those who are unable to understand English, French, or Spanish and can not attend Dr. Bertrand's office with someone who will translate for them.

    Contacts and Locations

    Locations

    Site City State Country Postal Code
    1 Private Physician's Office Courtenay British Columbia Canada V9N 2P6
    2 Okanagan Interventional Pain Clinic, Kelowna British Columbia Canada V1Y 4Z5
    3 Suite 303 - 570 Raymer Avenue, Kelowna, BC, Canada, V1Y 4Z5 Nelson British Columbia Canada V1L 4C6
    4 Dr. Helene Bertrand Inc., 220-1940 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver British Columbia Canada V7M 2K2
    5 Maple Tree Medical Clinic Salmon Arm British Columbia Canada V1E 2S5

    Sponsors and Collaborators

    • University of British Columbia

    Investigators

    None specified.

    Study Documents (Full-Text)

    None provided.

    More Information

    Publications

    Responsible Party:
    Helene Bertrand, MD, CCFP, Clinical instructor, Department of family practice University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia
    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
    NCT02728687
    Other Study ID Numbers:
    • M for PDPN
    First Posted:
    Apr 5, 2016
    Last Update Posted:
    Mar 2, 2021
    Last Verified:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
    Yes
    Plan to Share IPD:
    Yes
    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
    Keywords provided by Helene Bertrand, MD, CCFP, Clinical instructor, Department of family practice University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia
    Additional relevant MeSH terms:

    Study Results

    No Results Posted as of Mar 2, 2021