Clinical Research Directory

Medical Treatment With or Without Transcatheter Patent Foramen Ovale Closure

Patent foramen ovale PFO closure has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with recurrent stroke. However, the majority of existing clinical studies in this field excluded patients over the age of 60 years. Data in older patients is limited and since the population ages and stroke remains a major cause of death and morbidity, randomized clinical trials are needed to better assess the benefit of PFO closure in this elderly population. Therefore, this study proposal sought to determine the efficacy of PFO closure for the prevention of recurrent stroke in older patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke.

Sedation With Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination and Delirium in ICU Patients

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often develop anxiety and agitation, sleep disturbances, and delirium. Delirium occurrence is associated with worse early and long-term outcomes. Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are recommended for sedation and analgesia in postoperative ICU patients, but each may induce side effects. The sedative effects of dexmedetomidine can help mitigate the neuropsychiatric side effects of esketamine. Recent studies showed that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination improved analgesia and sleep quality without increasing side effects. This trial is designed to test the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination for sedation and analgesia in postoperative ICU patients may reduce delirium.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Postoperative Neurocognitive Recovery

Patients with preoperative cognitive impairment are at increased risks of delayed neurocognitive recovery (DNR) and postoperative neurocognitive disorder (POCD). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used to improve cognitive function in patients with cognitive impairement. This trial is designed to compare the effects of rTMS versus sham intervention on postoperative neurocognitive function in patients with preoperative cognitive impairment.

Prospective Observational Study Based on a Cohort of Geriatric Patients With Hip Fracture Treated in the Centers Belonging to the GIOG Group

The study aims to collect the clinical activity and management data of the Orthogeriatrics and Orthopedics Units participating in the study on a continuous and long-term basis. By collecting clinical data and comparing the performance of the various centers, the study aims to guide the participating centers towards the principles of good clinical practice in orthogeriatrics.

VEN+DAC+Bu2Flu4 vs Bu2Flu5 Conditioning Regimen for Elderly Myeloid Malignancies Undergoing Allo-HSCT

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of venetoclax+decitabine+busulfan+fludarabine (VEN+DAC+Bu2Flu4) regimen with busulfan+fludarabine (Bu2Flu5) regimen in older patients with myeloid malignancies undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

Blood Flow Restriction in Older Adults

Introduction. From the age of 80 onwards, more than 50% of people suffer from sarcopenia. The loss of muscle strength leads to a loss of muscle power, impairing functionality and preventing the correct performance of activities of daily living. Objective. To analyse the efficacy of blood flow restriction in older adult patients by evaluating changes in the variables muscle power and strength, physical condition and functionality of the lower limbs. Material and method. Randomised single-blind clinical study. Thirty-six older adults will be recruited and randomised to the experimental and control groups. The intervention will have a duration of 4 weeks, with 2 weekly sessions. The intervention will consist of an intervention by performing 3 quadriceps strength exercises, with a 40% restriction. The primary variable of the study will be muscle power (Sit To Stand 5 times) and the secondary variables will be muscle strength (dynamometry), physical condition (Timed Up and Go) and functionality and autonomy (Barthel index)

Implementing Geriatric Assessment for Dose Optimization of Cyclin-dependent Kinase (CDK) 4/6-inhibitors in Older Breast Cancer Patients

IMPORTANT study is a multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized-controlled, non-inferiority trial with a pragmatic approach involving older patients (≥ 70 years old) with advanced hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer, not amenable for curative treatment and without prior therapy for advanced disease, who are suitable to receive CDK 4/6-inhibitors plus endocrine therapy as first line therapy. The study implements two approaches with high level of evidence, namely the use of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) approach in treatment decision making and the use of CDK 4/6-inhibitors as the initial treatment of choice, to investigate whether a common clinical practice (starting dose reduction of CDK 4/6-inhibitors in older patients) with evidence of low certainty can be standardized using a more individualized-based approach. On the basis of baseline CGA assessment, patients will either receive full dose of CDK 4/6-inhibitors plus endocrine therapy (if patients are fit according to CGA) or be randomized to full dose vs. reduced initial dose of CDK 4/6-inhibitors (if vulnerable or frail according to CGA). The study hypothesis is that adjusting the dose according to vulnerability will allow patients to tolerate treatment better without jeopardizing the treatment efficacy. This project has received funding from the European Union's HORIZON 2022 research and innovation actions supporting the implementation of the Mission on Cancer under grant agreement No 101104589.

DOSAGE Study: Upfront Dose-Reduced Chemotherapy in Older Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

The goal of this phase III, open-label, non-inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial is compare upfront dose-reduced chemotherapy with the standard dose chemotherapy in older patients ( ≥70 years) with metastasized colorectal cancer, with regard to progression-free survival (PFS). The choice between monotherapy (a fluoropyrimidine) and doublet chemotherapy (a fluoropyrimidine with oxaliplatin) will be made for each individual patient based on expected risk of chemotherapy toxicity (according to the G8 screening). Patients classified as low risk of toxicity will be randomized between doublet chemotherapy in either full-dose, or with an upfront dose-reduction of 25%. Patients classified as high risk will be randomized between monotherapy in either full-dose or upfront dose-reduction. Primary outcome is PFS. Secondary endpoints include grade ≥3 toxicity, QoL, physical functioning, overall survival, number of treatment cycles, dose reductions, hospital admissions, cumulative received dosage and cost-effectiveness.

LDL Cholesterol TARGETs in OLDer Patients (Age≥75 Years) With ASCVD (TARGET OLD)

To determine whether treating to an LDL-C target of 25 to \<70 mg/dL is superior to an LDL-C target of 70 to \<100 mg/dL with respect to major cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary revascularization) in patients aged ≥75 years with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). To determine whether treating to an LDL-C target of 25 to \<70 mg/dL is non-inferior to an LDL-C target of 70 to \<100 mg/dL with respect to major safety events (hemorrhagic stroke, new-onset diabetes, muscle-related events, neurocognitive adverse events, new or recurrent cancer, cataract, or hepatic disorder \[Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \>3× ULN, or total bilirubin \>2× ULN\]) in patients aged ≥75 years with ASCVD.