RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Corticosteroid Tapering in Sarcoidosis

This study is for people with sarcoidosis who are currently taking prednisolone. Sarcoidosis is a condition that causes inflammation, often in the lungs. While prednisolone is very good at reducing this inflammation, taking it for a long time can cause unwanted side effects like weight gain, diabetes, and weaker bones. There aren't clear rules yet on how to best reduce the prednisolone dose once your sarcoidosis is stable. This study aims to compare two different ways of gradually lowering your prednisolone dose – a 'standard taper' and a 'fast taper'. Researchers want to see if people can successfully reduce their dose by at least half, and to watch out for any side effects as the dose is lowered.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

100

Start

19 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

18 Oct 2027

Sarcoidosis

What is this study about?

Sarcoidosis is a health condition that causes small patches of inflammation, called granulomas, to form in different parts of your body. Most commonly, it affects the lungs, but it can appear in many other organs too. We don't fully understand why sarcoidosis happens. For some people, no treatment is needed, but others might need long-term medication to manage their symptoms and prevent damage.

One of the main medications used for sarcoidosis is called prednisolone, which is a type of steroid. It's very effective at reducing inflammation, and many people take it for months or even years. However, taking steroids for a long time can lead to several unwanted side effects, such as an increased risk of diabetes, weaker bones, weight gain, high blood pressure, and less muscle. Currently, doctors don't have clear guidelines on the best way to slowly reduce the prednisolone dose for patients whose sarcoidosis is stable.

This study, taking place at the Royal Brompton Hospital, wants to find out the best way to lower prednisolone doses. They will be looking at two different methods of gradually reducing the medication. By comparing these two strategies, the researchers hope to understand which method allows people to successfully reduce their prednisolone with the fewest problems, helping to improve care for people with sarcoidosis in the future.

Key takeaways

This study compares two ways to reduce prednisolone for sarcoidosis.
It aims to find the safest method to lower steroid doses and reduce side effects.
You must have stable sarcoidosis and be on a specific prednisolone dose to join.
You'll be randomly assigned to a 'standard' or 'fast' tapering plan.
The study monitors how well you cope with dose changes and watches for new symptoms.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to have a confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidosis. You should have been taking between 5mg and 10mg of prednisolone every day for at least six months, and your sarcoidosis must have been stable for the past six months, meaning no worsening of your condition or increases in your prednisolone dose during that time. You also need to be 18 years old or older and be willing to give your informed consent to participate.

However, some conditions would mean you can't join. For example, if your sarcoidosis affects your heart or brain, or if you have a very severe form of lung sarcoidosis, you wouldn't be able to take part. Also, if your sarcoidosis has worsened recently, or if you have a known problem with your adrenal glands, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, this study would not be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I have sarcoidosis that a doctor has confirmed?
Have I been taking 5-10mg of prednisolone daily for at least 6 months?
Has my sarcoidosis been stable for the last 6 months (no worsening or dose increases)?
Am I 18 years old or older?
Do I have sarcoidosis that affects my heart or brain, or very severe lung sarcoidosis?
Am I currently pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll first have a screening appointment to make sure you meet all the requirements. If you do, you'll then be asked to sign a consent form, and some basic information about your health, such as your age, sex, and any other conditions you have, will be collected. Your lung function will also be measured if it hasn't been done in the last six months.

You'll then be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a 'standard taper' group or a 'fast taper' group. Each group will follow a different plan for slowly reducing your prednisolone dose over several weeks or months. For example, the standard group might reduce their dose by 2.5mg every four weeks initially, then smaller amounts over longer periods. The fast taper group will reduce their dose more quickly, and they will receive phone calls every two weeks for support. During the study, researchers will check how well you're managing the dose reduction, if your sarcoidosis remains stable, and if you experience any withdrawal symptoms. For a small number of participants, extra tests will be done to look at body composition and muscle strength.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially offer benefits by helping you reduce your prednisolone dose, which in turn may lessen the long-term side effects associated with steroid use. This research will also help future patients by providing better information on how to safely reduce prednisolone. Potential risks include the possibility that reducing your prednisolone might cause your sarcoidosis to worsen or lead to steroid withdrawal symptoms. The research team will be closely monitoring you for these signs and will provide support. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Royal Brompton Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a condition where small patches of inflammation, called granulomas, develop in different organs of the body, most commonly the lungs.

Why is this study important for prednisolone?

Prednisolone is effective but can have side effects when taken long-term. This study aims to find the best and safest way to reduce the dose to minimise these effects.

Will I have to stop my prednisolone completely?

The main goal is to see if you can reduce your dose by at least 50% from your starting dose. Complete stopping might be possible for some, but it's not the primary aim for everyone.

What if my sarcoidosis gets worse during the study?

The research team will be closely monitoring your condition. If your sarcoidosis flares up or you experience problems, they will adjust your treatment as needed, which might include increasing your prednisolone dose again.

How long will I be in the study?

The length of your participation will depend on which tapering group you are in and how quickly your dose is reduced. This will be explained in more detail by the study team.

How to find out more

Vasileios Kouranos

vasileios.kouranos@nhs.net +44(0) 207 352 8121 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.