UnknownNot Applicable

Conservative Versus Surgical Treatment of Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Germany300 participantsStarted 2020-07-01

Plain-language summary

The optimal treatment of uncomplicated native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVO) is unknown. While some authors recommend surgical treatment (consisting of spinal debridement, decompression and instrumentation using hardware implantation of hardware), others recommend conservative treatment (with antimicrobial therapy alone). In the proposed randomized controlled multicentric trial, we plan to compare the outcome of conservative vs, surgical treatment of NVO regarding (i) infection outcome (i.e. infection-free proportion of subjects), (ii) functional outcome (pain intensity, spine scores, general mobility, quality of life evaluation), and (iii) socioeconomic impact (direct and indirect costs due to NVO). A total of 350 subjects will be screened, 300 subjects will be randomized 1:1 into 2 arms: experimental (surgical treatment) and control (conservative treatment). Subjects in both groups will receive pathogen-directed antimicrobial therapy for 6 weeks. Excluded will be patients with acute neurologic impairment, extensive bone destruction, epidural/intraspinal abscess and with spinal hardware. The clinical impact of this study is enormous since it will generate evidence for rational treatment guidelines. We hypothesize that the conservative treatment of uncomplicated NVO is non-inferior to surgical therapy regarding infection outcome. If the conservative treatment of NVO demonstrate non-inferiority, patients may benefit from avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention.

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: * Subjects aged ≥18 years with NVO, diagnosed by microbiology (positive blood culture or vertebral tissue culture) or histopathology. * Subjects are willing to participate in the study (signed informed consent) and comply with planned follow-up assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months). Exclusion Criteria: * Infection due to Mycobacterium spp. or Brucella spp. * Infection associated with spinal hardware * Acute neurologic impairment * Extensive defect of vertebral body (\>2 cm) * Extensive epidural abscess (\>1 cm) or intraspinal abscess (any size) * Spinal instability/deformity requiring immediate stabilisation

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

Proportion of infection-free subjects

Timeframe: 12 months after treatment initiation

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04436328

SponsorCharite University, Berlin, Germany

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-07-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Vertebral Osteomyelitis trials