Endometriosis, or inflammation of the endometrial lining of the uterus, can cause women considerable pelvic pain. Over time, resulting scar tissue can also create fertility challenges or issues with pregnancy.
While there aren’t a lot of effective treatments currently available, a new international study is evaluating the effectiveness of a potentially new treatment for pain caused by endometriosis. One patient currently participating states, “Unbelievably life changing, after 26 years of agony my life is new to me. I am able to live life without endometriosis ruling it!”
Red Deer’s Central Alberta Research Clinic is seeking women between the age of 18 and 50 with diagnosed endometriosis to participate in a double-blind study looking into the benefit and safety of a daily 40mg dose of Relugolix, co-administered with hormone replacement, explains the clinic’s research manager Troy Hamilton.
Under primary care physician Dr. JS Badenhorst, along with Dr. Christopher Cham, Clinical Lead of obstetrics and gynaecology, Alberta Health Services, Central Zone, the Red Deer clinic is among 160 worldwide conducting the 600-person study involving a new version of an approved drug.
Clinical trials conducted at the Central Alberta Research Clinic are vetted by Health Canada, in addition to the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta. As an international trial, it’s also been evaluated by the organizations such as the United States’ FDA.
While the initial study is relatively short – just six months – with the participants receiving either a placebo or relugolix, participants have an option of participating in a 19-month extension study and are guaranteed to get the medication, Hamilton says.
How to participate:
Eligible participants must have had a diagnosis of endometriosis with surgical visualization of endometriosis via laparoscopy or laparotomy performed within 10 years.
Between the Baseline Day 1 and Week 24, participants in the endometriosis study will attend clinic visits every four weeks, and take one tablet and one capsule orally once daily.
To learn more, contact the Central Alberta Research Clinic at careclinicrd.ca or call 403-343-8972, ext. 111. A study nurse can answer questions and gather preliminary details to see if you might be a fit. A screening visit would follow. Reimbursement for travel related expenses to Red Deer is available.
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The Central Alberta Research Clinic, in affiliation with the Bailey Clinic, has conducted more than 160 clinical trials and has become one of Canada’s most respected clinical research centres. Focusing on internal medicine, especially diabetes, cardiovascular, weight loss, vaccines, women’s health, urology and dermatology, the clinic partners with academic centres and pharmaceutical companies to help make new treatments available for patients.