ISRCTN ISRCTN12308164
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12308164
Secondary identifying numbers BSR / Arthritis Research UK project grant (14585)
Submission date
02/12/2015
Registration date
15/12/2015
Last edited
13/01/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term condition in which the spine becomes inflamed. It is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but they do not reduce the rate of disease progression. Patients with AS have reduced bone density of the spine and hip and are at increased risk of fractures of the spine. Such microfractures may be responsible for pain in AS. Studies using a drug called pamidronate, which belongs to a group of drugs know as bisphosphonates, given into a vein have suggested these drugs may improve the clinical features of AS. An oral form of a bisphosphonate, called alendronate, is used to treat osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to see if alendronate improves outcomes in patients with AS over a 2 year period when compared to a placebo (dummy drug).

Who can participate?
Patients aged over 21 with AS.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to be treated weekly with either oral alendronate or a placebo (dummy drug). We then study the disease outcome and the effects on bone density.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Alendronate may improve disease activity in AS. The risks are possible upper gastrointestinal (digestive system) side effects, arthralgia (joint pain), and rare complications of osteonecrosis (bone disease) of the jaw.

Where is the study run from?
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (UK).

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
May 2004 to August 2010.

Who is funding the study?
Arthritis Research UK and the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society.

Who is the main contact?
Dr Ashok Bhalla

Contact information

Dr Ashok Bhalla
Scientific

Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Bath
BA1 1RL
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-2723-9321

Study information

Study designDouble-blind randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleClinical efficacy of oral alendronate in ankylosing spondylitis: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Study acronymBIAS (Bisphosphonates in Anklyosing Spondylitis)
Study objectivesTo investigate the potential disease modifying properties of alendronate in a population of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with a spectrum of mild to severe disease activity, reflecting routine clinical practice.
Ethics approval(s)1. Trent MREC, 10/05/2004, REC ref: 04/4/023
2. Site-specific approval was obtained from the all UK recruiting centres
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAnkylosing spondylitis
InterventionOral alendronate 70 mg weekly or placebo

The total duration of treatment was 2 years and follow-up for all treatment arms was 2 years from enrolment.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase I
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Alendronic acid
Primary outcome measureBath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global score (BAS-G), assessing overall change in patient’s symptoms and general health over the preceding month. Scored at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Disease activity (Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scored at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
2. Physical function (Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) scored at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
3. Mobility (Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) measured at baseline and 24 months
4. Laboratory measurements:
4.1. At baseline and 6 months blood was taken for measurement of cytokines and metalloproteinases
4.2. The inflammation marker, CRP, was measured at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months
5. Radiographic features were assessed by modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) and Bath AS Radiology Index (BASRI) at 0 and 24 months
6. Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 20 and ASAS40 at 0 and 24 months
Overall study start date01/05/2004
Completion date30/08/2010

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participantsThe study was powered to detect a minimal clinically important difference of 1.5 in the primary outcome measure (BAS-G). With 95% power to reach 5% level of significance this required a total sample size of 140 (70 in each group). Assuming a 20% dropout rate, 90 patients were required in each group to obtain a sample size of 70.
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients had to meet the modified New York criteria for the diagnosis of AS, which we refined to allow for MRI diagnosis of sacroiliitis, and a requirement for a minimum pre-defined movement restriction
2. Fulfil ASAS criteria for axial SpA
3. Aged over 21 years
4. If taking NSAID, have been on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks
5. There was no minimal level of disease activity required for entry to the study
Key exclusion criteria1. Any intervention or underlying disease with the potential to effect disease activity or bone density, including treatment with anti-TNF
2. Patients with bilateral hip replacements or previous back surgery that would prevent accurate bone density measurement by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Date of first enrolment01/05/2005
Date of final enrolment28/02/2009

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1 1RL
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1 1RL
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05va5gy74

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Arthritis Research UK (BSR/Arthritis Research UK Project Grant (14585))
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Location
United Kingdom
National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planThe plans were to present results at national meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and publish in peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/05/2017 Yes No

Editorial Notes

13/01/2017: Publication reference added.