NCT00855270

Efficacy of Single Dose IV Hydrocortisone in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Prevention

The Efficacy of a Single Dose IV Hydrocortisone Given Within 6 Hours of Exposure to a Traumatic Event in PTSD Prevention

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Sheba Medical Center · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study is designed to test the hypothesis that a single Hydrocortisone intra venous injection within 6 hours post-trauma facilitates physiological recovery thereby preventing the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the months following the event. In the absence of such treatment (i.e., under placebo conditions), we hypothesize that a greater proportion of persons would develop PTSD (i.e., fail to recover from acute effects).

Detailed description

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which trauma victims are randomized to receive a single intravenous injection of either Hydrocortisone (90-150mg)or placebo within the first six hours following trauma exposure. To provide a pre-treatment baseline, participants will receive a medical and psychological evaluation prior to treatment. After two weeks the research assistant or study psychiatrist will perform behavioral ratings and complete history details pertaining to PTSD risk factors. Participants will be assessed again by the study psychiatrist or research assistants at 1, 3, 8 \& 13 months. Eligible subjects will include men and women over the age of 21, who have been exposed to an event meeting the DSM-IV "A.1" criterion for trauma exposure, and who provide written, informed consent to participate in the study. In order to recruit persons who are more likely to be at risk for the development of PTSD, we will only randomize persons expressing marked anxiety, emotional distress or dissociation, as assessed by the Visual Analog Scales. Potential participants will be recruited from trauma victims arriving at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center Emergency Room.

Conditions

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Placebo	IV saline will be used as placebo for control
DRUG	Hydrocortisone	A single dose 90-150mg of Intra Venous Hydrocortisone. 90mg will be administrated to participants weighing 45-59kg. 100mg will be administrated to participants weighing 60-69kg. 120mg will be administrated to participants weighing 70-89kg. 140mg will be administrated to participants weighing 90-99kg. 150mg will be administrated to participants weighing 100-120kg.

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-04-01
• Primary completion: 2016-09-01
• Completion: 2016-12-01
• First posted: 2009-03-04
• Last updated: 2016-05-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Israel