CompletedPhase 4

Romosozumab Versus Denosumab for Osteoporosis in Long-term Glucocorticoid Users

China70 participantsStarted 2021-01-15

Plain-language summary

Glucocorticoid (GC) is the main stay of treatment of many rheumatic diseases but is also an important cause of secondary osteoporosis. The long-term use of GCs increases the risk of fragility fracture at a much higher bone mineral density (BMD) than postmenopausal osteoporosis, indicating an additional deleterious effect of GC on bone quality. An increased relative risk of vertebral and hip fractures is demonstrated in chronic GC users, with fracture risk proportional to the daily dose of GC. Other studies have also confirmed that intermittent use of high-dose GC and the cumulative GC dose was associated with an augmented risk of osteoporotic fracture. Romosozumab (ROMO) is a humanized monoclonal antibody against sclerostin. The landmark RCT has demonstrated efficacy of ROMO (210mg subcutaneously monthly) over placebo in reducing vertebral fractures by 73% at 12 months in 7180 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis of the hip at entry. Another RCT has demonstrated efficacy of ROMO in reducing vertebral and hip fractures in 4093 post-menopausal women at month 24. There are no data regarding the efficacy of ROMO in GC-induced osteoporosis. Comparative study on the efficacy of ROMO and denosumab in post-menopausal osteoporosis is also not yet available in the literature. This prompts the current pilot study to compare the efficacy of ROMO with denosumab in high-risk patients receiving long-term GCs.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Adults (women or men) \>18 years of age
. Receiving long-term prednisolone treatment for various medical illnesses, defined as a daily prednisolone dose of ≥5mg/day for ≥12 months.
. High risk of osteoporotic fracture (in subjects \<40 years, personal history of fragility/vertebral fracture, bone mineral density \[BMD\] of the hip/spine Z score ≤ -3.0, loss of BMD \>10% per year or new fracture; in subjects aged ≥40 years, personal history of fragility/vertebral fracture, BMD of the hip/spine T score ≤ -2.5, GC-adjusted 10-year major osteoporotic fracture risk ≥20% or hip fracture risk ≥3% by FRAX \[ie. multiplying risk by 1.15 for the former and 1.20 for the latter when prednisolone ≥7.5mg/day\], or new fracture development).

Exclusion criteria

. Patients with previous use of denosumab, teriparatide, intravenous bisphosphonates, strontium or other experimental anti-osteoporotic agents within 24 months of study entry.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Bone mineral density (BMD)

Timeframe: month 12

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04091243

SponsorTuen Mun Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-10-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis trials