Qutenza for painful fistulae v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of Qutenza (topical capsaicin 8%) in treating neuropathic pain from arteriovenous fistulae in patients with end stage renal failure
IRAS ID
122194
Contact name
Marc Clancy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Eudract number
2014-002266-71
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Research summary
Arteriovenous fistulae are artificial connections between the artery and vein in the arm which allow needles to be inserted for haemodialysing patients with kidney failure. Occasionally severe debilitating pain can arise from these fistulae for which no cause can be found. Such pain can be very difficult to treat. Many commonly used painkillers are known to cause significant side effects in patients with renal failure (drowsiness, confusion etc.)
Qutenza (topical capsaicin 8%) is a new treatment made from chilli peppers which is applied to the skin as a patch and works directly at the nerve endings in the skin to prevent pain. It therefore should not have the systemic side effects of other drugs. It has been demonstrated to be beneficial in other painful conditions for example post-shingles pain and nerve pain from HIV. It has never been used for chronic fistula pain before.
We propose to investigate the efficacy of Qutenza in treating patients with end stage renal failure and chronic pain from their fistulae (AVF). We will recruit 20 patients with painful AVF and treat them with Qutenza. We will follow them up for 12 weeks and monitor the change in their pain scores.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
14/WS/1077
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion