Bone Density and Serum Testosterone in Male Methadone Maintained Patients

September 12, 2016 updated by: Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute

This is a pilot study designed to answer the question " Do men who are receiving methadone maintenance therapy have lower spinal bone densities compared with age-matched controls who are not receiving methadone therapy?"

The primary aim is to assess whether the mean or median spinal dual-ray energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan results are different between these two groups of male patients. Primary measurements include: spinal bone densitometry by DEXA scan.

The secondary aim is to examine the role of sex steroids in men receiving methadone maintenance therapy and their association with spinal bone density and sexual dysfunction. Secondary measurements include: serum testosterone, estradiol, lutenizing hormone, albumin, sex hormone binding globulin and Vitamin D levels; age; Brief Sexual Function Inventory; Dietary, smoking/alcohol use and physical activity; Medical history, surgical and medication use; length of time using illicit opiates and time on methadone maintenance therapy.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Chronic use of opiates has long been associated with multiple side effects, many of which are due to lower levels of androgens in this patient population. Previous studies have shown that long-term opiate use may lead to narcotic induced hypogonadism, resulting in significantly decreased testosterone levels in men. One area of chronic opiate use that has not been looked at extensively is the correlation between narcotic-induced hypogonadism and associated side effects such as osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction in male patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy. Marked testosterone deficiency is a well-established rick factor for both osteoporosis and altered sexual function, and recent information demonstrated that altered estrogen levels may play a role in these side effects as well. Thre present pilot study investigates the role of sex steroids in male patients maintained on methadone therapy and their association with bone densitometry and sexual dysfunction. Free testosterone, estradiol, lutenizing hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, Vitamin D levels and albumin will be measured in thirty community-dwelling outpatient men participating in a methadone maintenance program as well as thirty age-matched controls from a general medicine clinic. Osteodensitometry will be performed with the DEXA technique at the lumbar spine. Participants will also complete the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory as well as be assessed for smoking/alcohol use, calcium intake, physical activity, length of time receiving opiates as well as concurrent medications. It is hypothesized that patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy will have lower bone mass densities, free testosterone, estradiol, and sexual dysfunction scores than the age-matched controls.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

60

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Minnesota
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55415
        • Hennepin Faculty Associates/ Hennepin County Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 50 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • age 18 to 50
  • methadone maintenance for at least 12 months (for cases)
  • stable dose of methadone for 6 months (for cases)
  • willing to participate in the study
  • competency in English
  • male

Exclusion Criteria:

  • previous diagnosis of sexual dysfunction
  • previous diagnosis of osteoporosis
  • serum creatinine > 2 mg/dL
  • chronic opiate use (for controls)
  • congestive heart failure
  • illicit drug use

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Kathleen M Wesa, M.D., Hennepin Faculty Associates/ Hennepin County Medical Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

April 1, 2005

Primary Completion

December 7, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

April 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 9, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 15, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 14, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 12, 2016

Last Verified

September 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HSR-04-2404
  • 0409M63575

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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