The OASIS trial, also known as the Oral Steroids In Sciatica trial, is a significant research project aimed at investigating the effects of oral glucocorticoids in people with acute sciatica. Acute sciatica is a prevalent and debilitating pain condition, and currently, there is no simple, effective treatment to relieve the pain associated with it. Preliminary evidence suggests that taking oral glucocorticoids may relieve pain and improve function in acute sciatica.
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The OASIS clinical trial will evaluate whether oral glucocorticoids are effective and safe compared to a placebo. Participants in the trial will take the medication for up to two weeks, and they will be followed up for one year to measure leg pain intensity and other important outcomes. The trial will also assess drug safety and evaluate cost-effectiveness.
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The trial is designed as a double-blind, randomised controlled trial, ensuring that neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the active medication or the placebo. This design helps to eliminate bias and ensures the reliability of the results. Participants will be recruited from general practice, specialist outpatient clinics, and hospital emergency departments.
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The primary endpoint of the trial is leg pain intensity at two weeks. Secondary outcomes include back pain intensity, disability, time to recovery, quality of life, and treatment success rate. Adverse events will be monitored, and a cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted to determine the economic impact of the treatment.
The OASIS trial is currently recruiting participants, and the research team is also looking for General Practitioners who are interested in research to be involved with the recruitment of patients with sciatica into the study. This trial has the potential to provide valuable insights into the management of acute sciatica and improve patient outcomes.
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Funding: The sponsor of this trial is The University of Sydney. OASIS is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
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Principal Investigator: Professor Christine Lin (IMH)
Chief Investigators: Professor Andrew McLachlan (University of Sydney), Professor Jane Latimer (IMH), Dr Christina Abdel Shaheed (IMH), Qiang Li (The George Institute) Associate Investigators: Dr Bethan Richards (IMH), Professor Rachelle Buchbinder (Monash University), Professor Chris Maher (IMH), Professor Ric Day (University of NSW).
Contact or further information:
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For more information, please contact:
Giovanni Ferreira, e: giovanni.ferreira@sydney.edu.au
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Our Team
Professor Christine Lin
Professor Jane Latimer