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Zoledronic Acid Administration in Acute Spinal Cord Injury

The Efficacy of Zoledronic Acid in the Prevention of Bone Loss in Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02042872
Enrollment
21
Registered
2014-01-23
Start date
2006-05-31
Completion date
2012-07-31
Last updated
2018-03-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Disuse Osteoporosis

Keywords

Spinal Cord Injury, Disuse Osteoporosis, Zoledronic acid, Bisphosphonates, Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

Brief summary

In subjects with acute SCI: To compare the effects of parenteral zoledronic acid therapy on preservation of regional and total skeletal mass (DXA). Hypothesis: Zoledronic acid will dramatically diminish bone loss in persons with acute SCI, as evidenced by serial densitometry determinations (DXA).

Detailed description

Immobilization is associated with disuse osteoporosis. Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces a syndrome of acute skeletal immobilization with immediate and irreversible unloading of the involved skeletal regions resulting in accelerated bone loss. In addition to rapid bone loss, there are also the complications of hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, and renal insufficiency. In some reports, as much as 50% of regional bone mass has been lost within the first year after paralysis. A depletion of regional bone of such magnitude greatly increases the risk of fractures, with associated morbidity and increased cost of care. Often, these fractures occur with minimal or non-obvious trauma and may pass undiagnosed for varying lengths of time due to the absence of pain sensation. The acute complications of fracture may include hemorrhage, deep venous thrombosis, and autonomic dysreflexia. Long-term complications include functional deformity, non-union, infection, heterotopic calcification, and significantly longer healing time. The sociology-economic consequences include a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks of hospitalization and the potential need for an increased level of attendant care. This study will address the efficacy of a bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (Reclast: 5 mg; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc., East Hanover, NJ), in the prevention of the bone loss associated with acute SCI. Prevention of regional osteoporosis in persons with SCI would reduce the morbidity associated with fractures, a known secondary complication of immobilization. Thus, the quality of life would be improved in terms of employment responsibilities (reduction in days absent from employment and income lost) and personal activities (recreational endeavors, independence, and ease in which one performs activities of daily living). Individuals with SCI may then engage more securely in activities without fear of fracture, a tremendous psychological benefit.

Interventions

DRUGZoledronic acid

At baseline, study subjects in the treatment group will receive 5 mg of zoledronic acid (Reclast: 5 mg; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc., East Hanover, NJ) by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.

Sponsors

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Lead SponsorFED

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Within 3 months of the date of acute SCI. 2. Motor-complete and incomplete SCI \[American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) of sensorimotor impairment (AIS A, B, and C)\]

Exclusion criteria

1. Extensive life-threatening injuries (in addition to SCI) 2. Femur or tibia fracture or extensive bone trauma 3. History of prior bone disease (Paget's disease, overactive parathyroid, osteoporosis) 4. Post-menopausal women 5. Known allergy to bisphosphonates 6. Severe underlying chronic illness 7. Current diagnosis of cancer or history of cancer 8. I am currently receiving corticosteroids 9. Pregnancy or lactation 10. I have been diagnosed with kidney problems 11. As determined from the prescreening blood tests by the study physician Serum creatinine \> 2.0 mg/dl 12. As determined from the prescreening blood tests by the study physician Corrected calcium \< 8 mg/dl or \> 11 mg/dl 13. As determined from the prescreening blood tests by the study physician Elevated liver function enzymes \> 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN) 14. I am taking a bisphosphonate for heterotopic ossification (HO) (an overgrowth of bone typically diagnosed shortly after SCI in the pelvic region) 15. I have an existing dental condition or dental infection.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.Baseline and 12 monthsAn imaging method known as dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to obtain BMD of the distal femur and proximal tibia by using a customized research software program supplied by the manufacturer. This measurement will be the primary determinant (dependent measure) of difference among the treatment and control groups, and they will be followed over time at the previously specified time points.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Total Hip at Baseline and Month 12Baseline and 12 monthsAn imaging method known as dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to obtain BMD of the total hip.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Zoledronic Acid
At baseline, study subjects in the treatment group will receive 5 mg of zoledronic acid (Reclast: 5 mg; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc., East Hanover, NJ) by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.
8
No Treatment
Participants will receive no therapy and serve as a control group and have the same outcome measures completed at parallel time points.
13
Total21

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicZoledronic AcidNo TreatmentTotal
Age, Continuous25.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.6
33.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11
29.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 20.7
Region of Enrollment
United States
8 participants13 participants21 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
7 Participants12 Participants19 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
8 / 80 / 13
serious
Total, serious adverse events
3 / 81 / 13

Outcome results

Primary

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.

An imaging method known as dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to obtain BMD of the distal femur and proximal tibia by using a customized research software program supplied by the manufacturer. This measurement will be the primary determinant (dependent measure) of difference among the treatment and control groups, and they will be followed over time at the previously specified time points.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Zoledronic AcidBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.Baseline Distal Femur1.102 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.148
Zoledronic AcidBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.12 Month Distal Femur0.898 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.128
Zoledronic AcidBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.Baseline Proximal Tibia1.274 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.245
Zoledronic AcidBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.12 Month Proximal Tibia1.022 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.267
No TreatmentBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.12 Month Proximal Tibia1.237 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.276
No TreatmentBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.Baseline Distal Femur1.134 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.244
No TreatmentBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.Baseline Proximal Tibia1.341 g/cm2Standard Deviation 1.216
No TreatmentBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia at Baseline and Month 12.12 Month Distal Femur1.038 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.241
Secondary

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Total Hip at Baseline and Month 12

An imaging method known as dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to obtain BMD of the total hip.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Zoledronic AcidBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Total Hip at Baseline and Month 12Baseline Total Hip1.125 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.166
Zoledronic AcidBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Total Hip at Baseline and Month 1212 Month Total Hip1.042 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.168
No TreatmentBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Total Hip at Baseline and Month 12Baseline Total Hip1.020 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.154
No TreatmentBone Mineral Density (BMD) at the Total Hip at Baseline and Month 1212 Month Total Hip0.814 g/cm2Standard Deviation 0.151

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026