Rabbit

 
The Rabbit Trial is looking at the clinical and cost effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation for Benign Intrathyroidal Tumours
Rabbit logo with title cropped

 

Trial Documentation

These documents are for use by collaborators involved in the Rabbit Trial. They are the property of the University of Birmingham and do not constitute any form of advice to participants. Please contact us on this link if you require printed versions of any of these documents: Rabbit@trials.bham.ac.uk 

 

Protocol
(Click to download)

Rabbit Protocol

Participant Information Sheet
(Click to download)

 

Rabbit PIS - CROPPED

 

Design

A pragmatic, multicentre, open label, randomised non-inferiority trial, with 1:1 randomisation, preceded by an internal pilot phase and a health economic evaluation.  

Aim of the Study

To examine the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation versus conventional open hemithyroidectomy for symptom reduction, complications, cost effectiveness and overall acceptability. 

Setting

Secondary/Tertiary Care thyroid surgery/endocrinology departments in approximately 20 UK centres.

Target Population

448 patients aged 18 years or older with single or multiple thyroid nodule(s) that are causing compressive or cosmetic symptoms affecting their quality of life.

Intervention

Radiofrequency ablation versus conventional open hemithyroidectomy.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

1. Goitre symptom score at 12 months post intervention - determined by the goitre domain of the ThyPRO tool (Thyroid specific patient reported outcome tool)

2. Cost effectiveness at 12 months

Secondary Outcomes

Clinical 

  • Composite ThyPRO score (overall quality of life) at 12 months post intervention  
  • ThyPROdomain scores for: hyperthyroid symptoms, hypothyroid symptoms, eye symptoms, tiredness, cognition, anxiety, depressivity, emotional susceptibility, impaired social life, impaired daily life, impaired sex life and cosmetic complaints. All at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months post intervention. 

  • Incidence of complications within 3 months post intervention  

  • Incidence of hypothyroidism up to 36 months post intervention  

  • Incidence of temporary or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy at 12 months post intervention 

  • Percentage volume reduction in treated nodule(s) at 12 months post intervention (RFA arm only) 

  • Need for additional procedures related to the condition or treatment received up to 36 months post intervention 

  • Nodule recurrence at 36 months post intervention assessed by USS (RFA arm only) 

  • Pain intensity (related to pre-existing pain levels and the procedure – measured using pain VAS) at immediately post-intervention, 3, 12, 24, and 36 months post intervention 

  • Related re-admission to hospital within 30 days of the initial trial intervention 

 

Economic 

  • Cost-effectiveness at 12 months 
  • Health related quality of life (using the EQ-5D-5L) 

  • Health resource usage (HRUQ) 

 

Other 

  • Acceptibility of RFA to patients (determined by take-up at screening) 

Funding

The RABBIT trial is funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme grant.