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Lymphoedema management to prevent acute dermatolymphangioadenitis in podoconiosis northern Ethiopia (GoLBeT): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 12:31 authored by Henok Negussie, Meseret Molla, Moses Ngari, James A Berkley, Esther Kivaya, Patricia Njuguna, Greg Fegan, Abreham Tamiru, Abebe Kelemework, Trudie Lang, Melanie NewportMelanie Newport, Andy MckayAndy Mckay, Fikre Enquoselassie, Gail DaveyGail Davey
Background Podoconiosis (endemic, non-filarial elephantiasis) affects ~4 million subsistence farmers in tropical Africa. Limited awareness of the condition and lack of evidence for treatment mean that no endemic-country government yet offers lymphoedema management for podoconiosis patients. Among patients with filarial lymphoedema, trials suggest that limb care is effective in reducing the most disabling sequelae: acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) episodes. Methods We conducted a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that a simple, inexpensive lymphoedema management package would reduce the incidence of ADLA in adult podoconiosis patients in northern Ethiopia. Patients were individually randomised to a package comprising instruction in foot hygiene, skin care, bandaging, exercises, use of socks and shoes, with support by lay Community Podoconiosis Agents at monthly meetings; or no intervention. The primary outcome was incidence of ADLA, measured using a validated patient-held pictorial diary. Assignment was not masked, but those performing the primary analysis were. The trial was registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number Register, number ISRCTN67805210. Findings A total of 350 patients were randomised to the intervention and 346 to the control group, with 93.4% follow-up at one year. During the 12 months of follow up, 16,550 new episodes of ADLA occurred during 765.2 person years observed. The incidence of ADLA was 19.4 (95% CI 18.9 to 19.9) and 23.9 (95% CI 23.4 to 24.4) episodes per person year in the intervention and control groups respectively; incidence rate ratio 0.81 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.96, p=0.02), rate difference -4.5 (95% CI -5.1 to -3.8) episodes per person year. No important adverse events related to the intervention were reported. Interpretation A simple, inexpensive package of lymphoedema self-care is effective in reducing frequency and duration of ADLA. We recommend its implementation by endemic-country governments.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Lancet Global Health

ISSN

2214-109X

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

7

Volume

6

Article number

e795-e803

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Wellcome Trust Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-03-20

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-05-17

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-03-19

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