Preventing Infection After Shoulder Surgery

21 Aug Preventing Infection After Shoulder Surgery

The UW Shoulder and Elbow team is trying to learn how to prevent infection after shoulder replacements. This study will compensate participants $100 and includes two study visits as well as taking either a common medicine called Finasteride or a placebo once a day for 14 days.

A normal skin bacteria called Cutibacteria is the most common bacteria responsible for infections after a shoulder replacement. This is a devastating complication of shoulder replacements that causes significant changes to someone’s quality of life. Cutibacteria growth is affected by your hormones. We wish to learn if lowering dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels using a common oral medication, Finasteride, will lower the amount of Cutibacteria on the skin of the shoulder.

Participants will be randomized to take Finasteride or a placebo once a day for 14 days.
There will be a study visit before and after taking the pills. During both study visits there will be a blood draw to test your DHT levels and a skin swab. This will allow us to see if any changes to your DHT level also changes the amount of Cutibacteria on your skin.
Study visits at UWMC Montlake will be scheduled to begin between 7:00 am – 8:30 am and will take 1 to 2 hours. You will receive a $50 VISA bank card at each study visit, for $100 total.

If you are interested in learning more, please fill out the form linked below and we will be in touch soon.
https://redcap.iths.org/surveys/?s=ETPDC38PLKHMPXPR

Participant Eligibility

This voluntary study may be a good fit for you if you
– are male
– are between the ages of 18 and 65
– are not currently using Finasteride or other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
– are not currently using hormone replacement medications such as testosterone
– have not had recent antibiotic use within 3 months
– do not have very sensitive skin
– were not born with any genital differences that required medical treatment? (Such as cryptorchidism or hypospadias.)
– have not had a negative reaction to oral Finasteride before
– have not recently used acne treatment within 3 months
– are not allergic to chlorhexidine or isopropyl alcohol
– do not have open wounds on both shoulders

Contact

Jaylend Amistad
(206) 755-7847