Evaluating fracture risk in asymptomatic and normocalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)

ISRCTN ISRCTN66569335
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN66569335
Secondary identifying numbers 2011/125
Submission date
07/12/2011
Registration date
10/02/2012
Last edited
14/03/2018
Recruitment status
Stopped
Overall study status
Stopped
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a condition which is not uncommon in middle and older age where the hormone Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) is over produced in the body. This leads to high calcium levels in the blood, which can cause digestive symptoms, kidney stones, psychiatric abnormalities, and bone disease. A cure is achieved by surgically removing the parathyroid gland. PTH can also cause bone thinning (osteoporosis) which can lead to bones breaking easily. Patients with mild PHPT (asymptomatic PHPT) are often monitored rather than have surgery to remove the parathyroid gland(s), particularly if there is only modestly high calcium in the blood and/or there are no symptoms. However, the decision to refer patients for the operation somewhat depends on the effect of PHPT on the bones. Conventionally the bone assessment undertaken is just a measure of bone density (DEXA scan). However, there are now better ways of assessing bone health by determining the risk of fracture (e.g. the FRAX online tool – see: www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX). We aim to undertake a full fracture risk assessment using DEXA and FRAX and also measuring an important risk factor for bone fracture – risk of falls . We hope to find out whether the information from these tests affects whether a panel of experts would refer patients for an operation to remove the PTH gland or monitor the situation.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 50 or over with asymptomatic PHPT.

What does the study involve?
Participants undergo a DEXA examination, have back x-rays (to detect any previous spine fractures), a falls risk assessment and other basic clinical data will be collected simply in a research clinic, to enable us to make a FRAX fracture risk measure. A panel of specialists then considers all the information and decides whether the new information is enough to recommend a referral for surgery to remove the PTH gland (on the basis of their being high fracture risk) compared with previous bone assessments (bone density measurement by DEXA scan only).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit if the new assessments lead to a strong recommendation for surgery compared to what would have been advised based on the previous assessments.

Where is the study run from?
Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust (UK).

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April to July 2012.

Who is funding the study?
Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust R&D Department (UK).

Who is the main contact?
Dr Gavin Clunie
gavin.clunie@doctors.org.uk

Contact information

Dr Gavin Clunie
Scientific

Ipswich Hospital
Rheumatology Dept
Ipswich
IP4 5PD
United Kingdom

Email gavin.clunie@doctors.org.uk

Study information

Study designCross-sectional clinical assessment study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleEvaluating fracture risk in asymptomatic and normocalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT): a cohort study
Study acronymFRIP
Study objectivesTo evaluate comprehensively using X-Ray, Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA), FRAX® fracture risk tool, falls risk assessment and clinical data, what the fracture risk is in patients with PHPT and evaluate whether, by expert consensus, the advice to manage PHPT is changed - essentially the advisability of immediate parathyroidectomy or long-term monitoring of the condition - in comparison to conventional assessment methods (NIH 2002 criteria)
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPrimary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)
InterventionNovel assessment methods: The overall term is 'comprehensive fracture risk assessment'. This uses:
1. Lateral spinal radiographs [Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA)} to evaluate whether previous spinal fractures have occurred
2. A composite fracture risk calculator/algorithm termed FRAX (www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX)
3. A falls risk evaluation
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureNumber of participants where clinical advice for PHPT management is changed by the (study) fracture risk assessment, from expert consensus, compared with conventional assessment methods of fracture risk
Secondary outcome measuresValidity of DXA-based VDA (Vertebral Deformity Assessment) in identifying vertebral fracture in comparison to gold-standard radiograph assessment
Overall study start date01/04/2012
Completion date31/07/2012
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)Lack of staff/facilities/resources

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants50
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients >18y old
2. Male or female patients
3. Those who have an established diagnosis of a PHPT or must have been assessed by an Endocrinologist or Metabolic Bone Physician and then recommended to have non-surgical management of their PHPT
Key exclusion criteria1. <18 years old
2. Those unable to give informed consent
3. Prisoners
4. Women who are preganant or breast feeding
5. Patients with PHPT who would not be suitable for either PTHx medically on safety grounds or where there are serious concerns about the success of an operation
6. Patients with FHH or other condition causing hypercalcemia
Date of first enrolment01/04/2012
Date of final enrolment31/07/2012

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Ipswich Hospital
Ipswich
IP4 5PD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Ipswich Hospital R&D Dept (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

Heath Rd
Ipswich
IP4 5PD
England
United Kingdom

Email frances.farnsworth@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05m3qrs33

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust R&D (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

14/03/2018: Informed that the study never started due to the principal investigator changing jobs. 29/01/2018: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.