QST Study: Predicting Treatment Response in Chronic Pancreatitis Using Quantitative Sensory Testing

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Chronic Pancreatitis, Chronic Pain

In brief

Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is a novel investigative technique used in other pain conditions to evaluate patterns of chronic pain, and in this study will be used to elucidate pain patterns in patients with Chronic Pancreatitis (CP). QST uses a specific series of standardized stimulations to map the pain system. QST has the potential to change and improve the treatment paradigm for patients with CP and may eventually be able to predict response to invasive CP therapies.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT03434392
Run by: Anna Evans Phillips
People needed: 500
Starts: 2017-10-24
Expected to finish: 2026-06-30
Last updated by the study team: 2025-12-18

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Subjects with no pancreatic disease and no abdominal pain, or patients with a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia.
Subjects are 18 years or older in age
Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information.
Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study.
Subject is willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, treatment plan, and other study procedures.
Suspected CPs Inclusion Criteria
Subjects are 18 years or older in age
Subjects with a) Indeterminate CP (Cambridge 1 or 2 on CT scan or MRI/MRCP) who have abdominal pain without prior history of AP, or b) those with acute (AP) or recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) who have recovered from their attack(s) of AP, whose imaging studies are either normal or show changes consistent with Cambridge classification of 1 or 2, and they have ongoing abdominal pain. Both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects will be allowed to enter the study.
Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information.
Subjects must suffer from abdominal pain suspected to be pancreatic origin with an intensity above 3 on the visual analogue scale (VAS, where 0=no pain and 10= intolerable pain), and meet the criteria for chronic pain (pain ≥ 3 days per week for at least 3 months).
Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study.
Subjects willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, and other study procedures.
Definite Chronic Pancreatitis - Inclusion Criteria
Subjects are 18 years or older in age
Subjects will have a prior confirmed diagnosis of CP on CT scan or MRI/MRCP according to Cambridge Classification (grade 3 or 4). Both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects will be allowed to enter the study.
Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information.
Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study.
Subjects willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, and other study procedures.
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) Type 1 or Type 2 Inclusion Criteria
Subjects are 18 years or older in age
Subjects have prior diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (subjects with biliary pain accompanied by biochemical features of transient biliary tract obstruction including elevated transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, or conjugated bilirubin; may also be accompanied by biliary or pancreatic ductal dilation on imaging)
Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information.
Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study.
Subjects willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, and other study procedures.

You may not qualify if…

Subjects with no pancreatic disease and no abdominal pain, or patients with a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia.
Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator.
Subjects suffering from painful conditions that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with CP from chronic pain of other origins.
Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment.
Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas.
Suspected CPs Exclusion Criteria
Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator.
Subjects suffering from painful conditions other than pancreatitis or SOD type 1 or 2 that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with pancreatitis or SOD from chronic pain of other origins.
Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment.
Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas.
Definite Chronic Pancreatitis Exclusion Criteria
Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator.
Subjects suffering from painful conditions other than pancreatitis or SOD type 1 or 2 that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with pancreatitis or SOD from chronic pain of other origins.
Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment.
Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas.
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) Type 1 or Type 2 Exclusion Criteria
Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator.
Subjects suffering from painful conditions other than pancreatitis or SOD that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with pancreatitis or SOD from chronic pain of other origins.
Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment.
Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas.

Where it is running

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (enrolling)
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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