Actively Recruiting
Bone Loss Prevention With Zoledronic Acid or Denosumab in Critically Ill Adults - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Led by Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre · Updated on 2026-03-04
450
Participants Needed
22
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effect of denosumab and zoledronic acid compared to a placebo on bone mineral density in adults who have been critically ill. The trial focuses on women aged 50 years or older and men aged 70 years or older who have been admitted to intensive care for more than 24 hours. This study addresses the problem of accelerated bone loss and increased fracture risk after critical illness, particularly in older adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: the denosumab group, which receives 60mg via subcutaneous injection on days 1 and 180; the zoledronic acid group, which receives a 5mg intravenous infusion on day 1; or the placebo group, which receives matching placebo injections and infusions on the same schedule. These treatments are administered during the year following intensive care admission to assess their impact on preventing bone loss. During the study, participants will have their bone mineral density measured at the femoral neck and lumbar spine over 12 months. Researchers will also monitor fractures, falls, hospital readmissions, mortality, and quality of life at various points up to one year. Additional bone turnover markers will be evaluated in a sub-study. The total participation period lasts one year with safety and outcome assessments throughout.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Bone Loss Prevention With Zoledronic Acid or Denosumab in Critically Ill Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female aged 50 years or older, or male aged 70 years or older
- Admitted to Intensive Care Unit for 2 or more calendar days and not expected to be discharged on the second day
- Required ICU-level support such as intravenous vasoactive drugs, invasive or non-invasive ventilation, or high flow nasal oxygen for at least 6 hours
- Expected to survive the current hospital admission
You will not qualify if you...
- Cancer related metastatic bone disease or multiple myeloma
- Paget's disease
- Pregnancy
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate less than 30 ml/min or receiving renal replacement therapy
- Known contraindication to denosumab or zoledronic acid
- Obvious holes in teeth, broken teeth, or dental/gum infection
- Known untreated hypoparathyroidism
- Current treatment with anti-fracture agents within specified recent periods
- Current fragility fracture of hip, spine, femur, or forearm
- Exceeds weight limit or unable to have Bone Mineral Density scan
- International Normalised Ratio greater than 3.0 or Platelet count less than 30 x 10^9/L
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 6 months
Participants receive either Denosumab or Zoledronic acid to help prevent bone loss following critical illness. Denosumab is administered by subcutaneous injection on Day 1 and Day 180, while Zoledronic acid is given as a single intravenous infusion on Day 1. Placebo treatments matching these administration routes are also used.
2 visits (Day 1 and Day 180)
Duration - 6 months
Participants are monitored for bone mineral density changes, fractures, falls, hospital readmissions, mortality, quality of life, and bone turnover markers after treatment ends.
Visits at Day 7, 6 months, and 12 months with assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 22 locations
1
St Vincent's Health Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2010
Actively Recruiting
2
Prince of Wales Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2031
Actively Recruiting
3
Blacktown Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2148
Actively Recruiting
4
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Actively Recruiting
5
Wollongong Hospital, Illawarra Shoalhaven Health
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, 2525
Actively Recruiting
6
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Birtinya, Queensland, Australia, 4575
Actively Recruiting
7
The Wesley Hospital
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 4066
Actively Recruiting
8
Gold Coast University Hospital
Southport, Queensland, Australia, 4215
Actively Recruiting
9
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5000
Actively Recruiting
10
Barwon Health, University Hospital Geelong
Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 3220
Actively Recruiting
11
Alfred Health
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3004
Completed
12
Western Health - Footscray Hospital
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3011
Actively Recruiting
13
Western Health - Sunshine Hospital
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3021
Actively Recruiting
14
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3052
Actively Recruiting
15
St Vincents Hospital Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3065
Actively Recruiting
16
Austin Health
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3084
Completed
17
Eastern Health - Box Hill Hospital
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3128
Actively Recruiting
18
St John of God Hospital Subiaco
Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 6008
Actively Recruiting
19
Fiona Stanley Hospital
Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 6150
Actively Recruiting
20
St John of God Hospital Murdoch
Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 6150
Actively Recruiting
21
Auckland City Hospital
Auckland, New Zealand, 1023
Actively Recruiting
22
Wellington Regional Hospital
Wellington, New Zealand, 6021
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Allison Bone
T
Tony Trapani
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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