OsteoporosisCOSHIBANCT00463905
Evaluation of the Impact of a Case-finding Strategy for Vertebral Fractures
A study testing Clinical assessment +/- radiography in people with Osteoporosis and Vertebral Fracture, run by University of Bristol at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
Postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures (VFs) represent an important target for secondary fracture prevention, but few of these patients come for clinical attention. Recent evidence suggests that screening postmenopausal women for clinical risk factors like height loss and fracture risk identifies those at high… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 80 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Osteoporosis, Vertebral Fracture
- What is being tested?
- Clinical assessment +/- radiography
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 3,200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- Oct 2007to Aug 2011
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 to 80 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Female
- Aged 65-80 years
- Registered with a GP practice within Bristol Primary Care Trust (PCT)
Who cannot join
- None
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Impact of a Case-finding Strategy for Vertebral Fractures on Bisphosphonate and Other Drug Prescribing in Primary Care, Using the Cohort for Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA)
Postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures (VFs) represent an important target for secondary fracture prevention, but few of these patients come for clinical attention. Recent evidence suggests that screening postmenopausal women for clinical risk factors like height loss and fracture risk identifies those at high risk of prevalent VFs who should be referred for diagnostic X-rays, a strategy which is likely to prove cost effective. However, before being applied at a United Kingdom (UK)-wide level, it needs to be established that use of this strategy improves secondary fracture prevention, and that these benefits are achieved in a cost-effective manner. To examine these questions, a randomised-controlled-trial will be performed in which women aged 65-80 from general practitioner (GP)-practices in the intervention group will be invited for risk factor assessment, followed by referral for thoracolumbar X-ray where appropriate. The primary outcome will be a change in bisphosphonate or other drug prescribing between the intervention and control arms after six months.
Read the detailed description
This study will use a randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of a case-finding strategy for vertebral fractures on bisphosphonate and other drug prescribing in primary care. A sample of postmenopausal women aged 65-80 years from Bristol will be invited to take part. They will be individually randomised into either the intervention or control arm in a 2:1 ratio in favour of controls. The participants in the intervention arm will attend their GP practice to receive a simple 15 minute assessment, and if found to be at high risk of vertebral fractures will have a thoracolumbar X-ray; those randomised to the control arm will receive current standard methods used to identify women at high risk of vertebral fractures (no active intervention). Follow-up will be for three years.
Baseline measurements will be taken from women in each arm via self-completion postal questionnaire, including current prescriptions of any bisphosphonate or other osteoporosis medication. The women in the intervention arm will attend their GP practice and receive a simple 15 minute assessment, and if found to be at high risk of vertebral fractures will have a thoracolumbar X-ray arranged for them. They will be given a leaflet on lifestyle interventions aimed to improve bone health. Women in the control arm will be sent the same leaflet. Post-intervention questionnaires will be sent to all women asking about fractures and current prescriptions of any bisphosphonate or other osteoporosis medication. The primary outcome will be the proportion of women prescribed medication for secondary fracture prevention in the intervention arm compared to the control arm. Secondary outcomes will include the proportion of fractures in the intervention versus control arm, and compliance with bisphosphonate or other drug prescribing.
This study will be performed subject to Research Ethics Committee (REC) approval, including any provisions of Site Specific Assessment (SSA), and local Research and Development approval. This study will be conducted in accordance with the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care and Good Clinical Practice.
- Conditions
- Osteoporosis, Vertebral Fracture
- Being tested
- Clinical assessment +/- radiography
- Keywords
- osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, randomised controlled trial, screening
- Medical subject headings
- Osteoporosis, Spinal Fractures
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Clinical assessment +/- radiographyProcedure or surgery
Clinical assessment: height loss, history of fracture, Margolis pain score, rib/pelvis distance
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No intervention | Current management for identifying postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures in primary care i.e. nothing |
| 2 | Experimental | Intervention arm: simple clinical assessment to identify high risk 30% (approximately) who will then be offered lateral thoraco-lumbar X-rays Receives: Procedure: Clinical assessment +/- radiography |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The change in proportion of women aged 65-80 years prescribed bisphosphonates or other drugs in intervention arm compared with control arm
Measured: 2 years
Secondary outcomes (7)
Number of extra VFs identified by risk-factor assessment tool
Measured: 2 years
Assessment of difference in indications for bisphosphonate prescribing after intervention
Measured: 2 years
Assessment of compliance
Measured: 2 years
Assessment of quality of life
Measured: 2 years
Economic analysis to assess cost-effectiveness of intervention
Measured: 2 years
Assessment of impact on fractures
Measured: 2 years
Assessment of whether algorithm based qualitative (ABQ) semi-quantitative method of analyzing X-rays is better than simple inspection in identifying vertebral fractures
Measured: 2 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Apr 2007 (estimated)
- Study startOct 2007
- Primary completionJun 2009
- Study completionAug 2011
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for OsteoporosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Screening
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 3,200 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Bristol
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Emma Clark, University of Bristol
- Investigators
- Emma M Clark, MBBS, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Bristol
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00463905
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SMED RJ4783
- Acronym
- COSHIBA
- Status last verified
- Dec 2014
- First submitted
- 18 Apr 2007
- Last updated
- 4 Dec 2014
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Clark EM, Gould VC, Morrison L, Masud T, Tobias J. Determinants of fracture risk in a UK-population-based cohort of older women: a cross-sectional analysis of the Cohort for Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA). Age Ageing. 2012 Jan;41(1):46-52. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afr132. Epub 2011 Nov 21.
PubMed 22107913Weston JM, Norris EV, Clark EM. The invisible disease: making sense of an osteoporosis diagnosis in older age. Qual Health Res. 2011 Dec;21(12):1692-704. doi: 10.1177/1049732311416825. Epub 2011 Aug 2.
PubMed 21810994Clark EM, Gould V, Morrison L, Ades AE, Dieppe P, Tobias JH. Randomized controlled trial of a primary care-based screening program to identify older women with prevalent osteoporotic vertebral fractures: Cohort for Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA). J Bone Miner Res. 2012 Mar;27(3):664-71. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.1478.
PubMed 22113935
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Dec 2014. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Impact of a Case-finding Strategy for Vertebral Fractures on Bisphosphonate and Other Drug Prescribing in Primary Care, Using the Cohort for Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00463905
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- COSHIBA / SMED RJ4783
- Conditions
- Osteoporosis, Vertebral Fracture
- Keywords
- osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, randomised controlled trial, screening
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 3,200 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of BristolUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Oct 2007
- Primary completion
- Jun 2009 (actual)
- Study completion
- Aug 2011 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Apr 2007 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures (VFs) represent an important target for secondary fracture prevention, but few of these patients come for clinical attention. Recent evidence suggests that screening postmenopausal women for clinical risk factors like height loss and fracture risk identifies those at high risk of prevalent VFs who should be referred for diagnostic X-rays, a strategy which is likely to prove cost effective. However, before being applied at a United Kingdom (UK)-wide level, it needs to be established that use of this strategy improves secondary fracture prevention, and that these benefits are achieved in a cost-effective manner. To examine these questions, a randomised-controlled-trial will be performed in which women aged 65-80 from general practitioner (GP)-practices in the intervention group will be invited for risk factor assessment, followed by referral for thoracolumbar X-ray where appropriate. The primary outcome will be a change in bisphosphonate or other drug prescribing between the intervention and control arms after six months.
Detailed description
This study will use a randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of a case-finding strategy for vertebral fractures on bisphosphonate and other drug prescribing in primary care. A sample of postmenopausal women aged 65-80 years from Bristol will be invited to take part. They will be individually randomised into either the intervention or control arm in a 2:1 ratio in favour of controls. The participants in the intervention arm will attend their GP practice to receive a simple 15 minute assessment, and if found to be at high risk of vertebral fractures will have a thoracolumbar X-ray; those randomised to the control arm will receive current standard methods used to identify women at high risk of vertebral fractures (no active intervention). Follow-up will be for three years.
Baseline measurements will be taken from women in each arm via self-completion postal questionnaire, including current prescriptions of any bisphosphonate or other osteoporosis medication. The women in the intervention arm will attend their GP practice and receive a simple 15 minute assessment, and if found to be at high risk of vertebral fractures will have a thoracolumbar X-ray arranged for them. They will be given a leaflet on lifestyle interventions aimed to improve bone health. Women in the control arm will be sent the same leaflet. Post-intervention questionnaires will be sent to all women asking about fractures and current prescriptions of any bisphosphonate or other osteoporosis medication. The primary outcome will be the proportion of women prescribed medication for secondary fracture prevention in the intervention arm compared to the control arm. Secondary outcomes will include the proportion of fractures in the intervention versus control arm, and compliance with bisphosphonate or other drug prescribing.
This study will be performed subject to Research Ethics Committee (REC) approval, including any provisions of Site Specific Assessment (SSA), and local Research and Development approval. This study will be conducted in accordance with the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care and Good Clinical Practice.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Screening
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No intervention | –Current management for identifying postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures in primary care i.e. nothing |
| 2 | Experimental | Procedure: Clinical assessment +/- radiographyIntervention arm: simple clinical assessment to identify high risk 30% (approximately) who will then be offered lateral thoraco-lumbar X-rays |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 80 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Female
- Aged 65-80 years
- Registered with a GP practice within Bristol Primary Care Trust (PCT)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- None
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical assessment +/- radiographyClinical assessment: height loss, history of fracture, Margolis pain score, rib/pelvis distance | Procedure or surgery | 2 |
Primary outcome
The change in proportion of women aged 65-80 years prescribed bisphosphonates or other drugs in intervention arm compared with control arm
Time frame: 2 years
7 secondary outcomes
Number of extra VFs identified by risk-factor assessment tool
Time frame: 2 years
Assessment of difference in indications for bisphosphonate prescribing after intervention
Time frame: 2 years
Assessment of compliance
Time frame: 2 years
Assessment of quality of life
Time frame: 2 years
Economic analysis to assess cost-effectiveness of intervention
Time frame: 2 years
Assessment of impact on fractures
Time frame: 2 years
Assessment of whether algorithm based qualitative (ABQ) semi-quantitative method of analyzing X-rays is better than simple inspection in identifying vertebral fractures
Time frame: 2 years
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Dec 2014.
- Background: PubMed 22107913Clark EM, Gould VC, Morrison L, Masud T, Tobias J. Determinants of fracture risk in a UK-population-based cohort of older women: a cross-sectional analysis of the Cohort for Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA). Age Ageing. 2012 Jan;41(1):46-52. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afr132. Epub 2011 Nov 21.
- Background: PubMed 21810994Weston JM, Norris EV, Clark EM. The invisible disease: making sense of an osteoporosis diagnosis in older age. Qual Health Res. 2011 Dec;21(12):1692-704. doi: 10.1177/1049732311416825. Epub 2011 Aug 2.
- Results publication: PubMed 22113935Clark EM, Gould V, Morrison L, Ades AE, Dieppe P, Tobias JH. Randomized controlled trial of a primary care-based screening program to identify older women with prevalent osteoporotic vertebral fractures: Cohort for Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA). J Bone Miner Res. 2012 Mar;27(3):664-71. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.1478.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Emma M Clark, MBBS, PhD principal investigator
University of Bristol
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Clinical assessment +/- radiography in people with Osteoporosis and Vertebral Fracture, run by University of Bristol at 1 site in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Dec 2014. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The change in proportion of women aged 65-80 years prescribed bisphosphonates or other drugs in intervention arm compared with control arm (time frame: 2 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00463905, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Dec 2014; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.