Study of the Effect of Alendronate on Vascular Calcification and Arterial Stiffness in Chronic Kidney Disease
- Conditions
- ArteriosclerosisVascular Calcification
- Interventions
- Drug: Placebo
- Registration Number
- NCT00395382
- Lead Sponsor
- Monash University
- Brief Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the commonest cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Reasons for the greater incidence of CVD in this group include traditional CVD risk factors of hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes but more importantly also include non-traditional risk factors such as calcium and phosphate imbalance. The latter is thought most likely to contribute to vascular calcification, especially for those on dialysis, and this in turn leads to arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy, the two commonest cardiovascular complications. Arterial stiffness and calcification have been found to be independent predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in CKD. Few studies, though, have looked at both structural and functional changes associated with calcification and there have been very few interventional studies addressing this issue.
Control of calcium and phosphate levels in CKD can occur with the use of medications that reduce elevated serum phosphate (phosphate binders, mostly calcium-based) and those to treat hyperparathyroidism (vitamin D and more recently calcium sensing receptor agonists called calcimimetics). These pharmacological managements addressing calcium and phosphate imbalance reduce vascular calcification and CVD. Bisphosphonate therapy may also have a role in reduction of calcification.
Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in CKD patients and predicts increased fracture risk similar to the general population. Bisphosphonate therapy improves BMD and lowers the fracture risk. Bisphosphonates may also have a role in secondary hyperparathyroidism to reduce hypercalcemia and allow for more aggressive calcitriol treatment. Recent studies have addressed the possibility of bisphosphonates reducing the progression of vascular calcification in CKD and revealed that the extent of calcification may be suppressed in association with a reduction in chronic inflammatory responses.
The investigators aim to perform a prospective, randomised study assessing the impact of alendronate on cardiovascular and bone mineral parameters. This will be a single-centre study involving subjects with CKD Stage 3 (those patients with GFR between 30 and 59ml/min). Arterial stiffness (by pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity) and vascular calcification (using CT scans through superficial femoral artery) will be followed as well as serum markers of calcium, phosphate and PTH. Differences in these end-points will be compared between participants taking alendronate and those not. The study will be conducted over a 12 month period and the investigators aim to recruit about 50 patients (25 on alendronate and 25 control).
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 50
- Subjects with CKD Stage 3 (GFR between 30 and 59ml/min)
- Subjects must be 18 years of age or older
- Willingness to provide written informed consent
- Subjects unable to give informed consent or whom have an expected life-span of less than 3 months
- Subjects undertaking renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation)
- Subjects already taking bisphosphonates
- Subjects with recent fracture (within the last 3 months)
- Subjects scheduled to have a kidney transplant from a known living donor
- Subjects with active gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or peptic ulcer disease
- Subjects who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant in the next 18 months
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description 2 Placebo Placebo 1 Alendronate Alendronate
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in degree of arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity 18 months Changes in vascular calcification on CT scans of superficial femoral artery and aorta 18 months
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Changes in bone mineral density 18 months Changes in serum calcium and phosphate levels 18 months Cardiovascular events including myocardial ischaemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure, stroke, PVD 18 months Incidence of fractures 18 months Symptoms and severity of side effects from alendronate 18 months Episodes of hypocalcemia (serum corrected calcium <2.10mmol/L) 18 months
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Department of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre
🇦🇺Clayton, Victoria, Australia