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Systemic Oral Glucocorticoids for the Treatment of Acute Osteoarthritis Pain in the Emergency Department
NCT06603662 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the analgesic effects (relief of pain) of glucocorticoids (steroids) and pain medication versus pain medication alone in adult patients presenting to the emergency department with joint pain due to osteoarthritis. Steroids are drugs that can reduce inflammation and are used commonly for many different medical conditions. In brief, the central aims of the study are to: 1. Assess the efficacy of adding oral glucocorticoid medications to the standard pain medications used to treat the pain of osteoarthritis. 2. Assess the safety and tolerability of oral glucocorticoid medication for the short-term treatment of osteoarthritis pain. We hypothesize that: 1) The addition of glucocorticoids to standard pain medications will improve reported pain scores at 3 days following the initiation of treatment compared to standard pain medications alone and 2) The use of glucocorticoids will be well tolerated. Participants in the study will be randomized (like flipping a coin) into one of three groups: 1. Study Group 1 (Control) receiving placebo pills (no active ingredient) once a day for 5 days, plus ibuprofen (pain medication) for 5 days. 2. Study Group 2 (Intervention A) who will receive prednisone (steroid) once a day for 5 days, plus ibuprofen (pain medication) for 5 days. 3. Study Group 3 (Intervention B) who will receive one dose of dexamethasone (steroid) followed by placebo pills (no active ingredient) once a day for 4 days, plus ibuprofen (pain medication) for 5 days. In all groups, acetaminophen (a different pain medication) can be taken as needed for pain that is not controlled with ibuprofen. Participants will: * Receive follow up phone calls at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days. * Report pain scores related to joint pain. * Report the number of pills taken of the various medications used in the study. * Report any adverse events incurred during the follow up period.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Placebo
- DRUG Dexamethasone
- DRUG Prednisone
Study Locations (1)
Pennsylvania
- WellSpan York Hospital — York
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 192 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-02-24 |
| Est. Completion | 2027-12 |
| Phase | Phase 4 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06603662
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06603662 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as Phase 4, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 192 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is WellSpan Health, which has 9 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 4 conditions, with Osteoarthritis appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 3 interventions — of which Placebo is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06603662 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Pennsylvania. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06603662 about?
NCT06603662 is a clinical study titled "Systemic Oral Glucocorticoids for the Treatment of Acute Osteoarthritis Pain in the Emergency Department". The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the analgesic effects (relief of pain) of glucocorticoids (steroids) and pain medication versus pain medication alone in adult patients presenting to the emergency department with joint pain due to osteoarthritis. Steroids are drugs that can reduce in...
What is the current status of trial NCT06603662?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Phase 4 study. The enrollment target is 192 participants. The study started on 2025-02-24. Estimated completion is 2027-12.
What conditions does trial NCT06603662 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee, Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hip, Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Shoulder. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06603662?
The interventions under investigation include: Placebo (DRUG), Dexamethasone (DRUG), Prednisone (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06603662?
This trial is sponsored by WellSpan Health, which has 9 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06603662 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Pennsylvania. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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