Bone Disease in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Complex Phenomenon

September 21, 2023 updated by: University of Nebraska

The purpose of this study is to define the prevalence of low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Secondary aims include investigating the prevalence of hypogonadism (low sex hormones) in patients with chronic pancreatitis and determining if hypogonadism and/or use of narcotic pain medications are risk factors for low bone density in this patient population.

  1. Hypothesis:

    Patients with chronic pancreatitis are at increased risk of low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis), and hypogonadism (low sex hormone levels) and narcotic pain medication use are independent risk factors for the development of low bone density in this patient population.

  2. The outcome measures include:

    i) Prevalence of low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (as determined by DXA scan and fracture history).

    ii) Prevalence of hypogonadism (low sex hormones) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (as determined by sex hormone levels and clinical history).

    iii) Identification of hypogonadism and/or opioid use as risk factors for low bone density in patients with chronic pancreatitis (as determined by univariate and multivariate analysis of multiple risk factors).

  3. After obtaining written consent from potential subjects, a questionnaire will be performed outlining risk factors for low bone density. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA scan) will be performed to evaluate for low bone density and a blood test will be performed to evaluate for low sex hormones, low levels of vitamin D, and other risk factors for low bone density.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Chronic pancreatitis is defined as a continuing inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by irreversible morphologic changes that typically cause pain and/or permanent loss of function. The annual incidence of chronic pancreatitis in the Unites States is 5-12 per 100,000 and prevalence of 50 per 100,000 persons though the incidence is rising over time . The most common symptoms related to chronic pancreatitis include steatorrhea and abdominal pain. Pain with chronic pancreatitis can be severe and debilitating and opioid pain medications are frequently utilized in the management of these symptoms .

A number of chronic malabsorptive disorders, including Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and cystic fibrosis are known to be associated with decreased bone mineral density. Similarly, there is increasing data supporting low bone mineral density (osteopenia and osteoporosis) in patients with chronic pancreatitis, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

A meta-analysis of 11 observational studies of chronic pancreatitis reported the prevalence of osteopenia to be 39.8% and osteoporosis 23.4%, with the cumulative prevalence of low bone density (osteopenia and osteoporosis) being almost 65%. Interestingly, out of the eleven studies in this meta-analysis, eight were performed in Europe, two in India, and one in South America.

Some studies in chronic pancreatitis have described a link between Vitamin D deficiency and risk for low bone density. Other proposed risk factors for low bone density in this patient population include age, gender, malnutrition, alcohol use, smoking, and variation and duration of pancreatitis. However, other potential novel risk factors for low bone density exist in patients with chronic pancreatitis. These factors include chronic use of opioid medications and hypogonadism.

Opioid use is prominent in patients with chronic pancreatitis. At least 85% of patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis will develop pain and despite many different treatment methods, many patients with chronic pancreatitis do not get respite from their pain, even after several years. Therefore, up to 50% or more of all patients with chronic pancreatitis will utilize opioid medications as part of their pain management strategy. Opioid medication use has been shown to be a risk factor for low bone density. The exact mechanism behind opioid-induced low bone density is not known but is likely multi-factorial.

To date, the prevalence of hypogonadism in patients with chronic pancreatitis is unknown but would be expected to be higher than the general population due to the risk factors of opioid use, chronic illness, and potentially malnutrition. This warrants further investigation as a higher prevalence of hypogonadism could directly impact bone health in this cohort, not to mention potential effects of hypogonadism on quality of life and fertility.

This research project will utilize Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA scan) and clinical history to determine the prevalence of low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) in our cohort; blood draw, clinical history, and questionnaire to determine prevalence of hypogonadism in our cohort; and blood draw, clinical history, and questionnaire to examine specific risk factors for low bone density in our cohort.

After obtaining written consent from potential subjects, a questionnaire will be performed outlining smoking history, alcohol use history, fracture history, signs/symptoms of hypogonadism, exercise patterns, and opioid medication use history. A one-time Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA scan) will be performed on each subject. A one-time blood draw will be performed on each subject, with the following lab tests being performed on each subject:

  • 25-hydroxy Vitamin D
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
  • Total Testosterone (males)
  • Estradiol (females)
  • Lutenizing hormone (LH)
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Steroid hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
  • Prolactin

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

55

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
    • Nebraska
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68198
        • University of Nebraska 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

19 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Both males and females with diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 19-75 years
  • Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis, as defined by specific clinical criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Refusal to complete the consent process in it's entirety.
  • Pregnancy

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

  • Observational Models: Case-Only
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
To define the prevalence of low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis) in patients with chronic pancreatitis
Time Frame: Single time point (at time of data collection)
Our hypothesis is that there is a high prevalence of low bone density in patients with chronic pancreatitis. We will measure bone density with a bone density (DXA) scan and also obtain fracture history to determine the prevalence of low bone density.
Single time point (at time of data collection)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Prevalence of hypogonadism in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Time Frame: Single time point (at time of data collection)
We hypothesize that the prevalence of hypogonadism will be higher than the general population in patients with chronic pancreatitis. We will utilize clinical history and measurements of sex hormones (testosterone for men, estradiol for women) to determine the prevalence of hypogonadism in this patient population.
Single time point (at time of data collection)
Hypogonadism and/or opioid medication use are independent risk factors for low bone density in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Time Frame: Single time point (at time of data collection)
We hypothesize that hypogonadism and opioid medication use are independent risk factors for low bone density in patients with chronic pancreatitis. We will utilize clinical history and serum hormone levels to define subjects with hypogonadism, and obtain detailed medication lists to define opioid medication use for each subject. This information will be analyzed along with other variables to determine if hypogonadism and/or opioid use are independently associated with low bone density.
Single time point (at time of data collection)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Nebraska

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Brian Boerner, MD, University of Nebraska

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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 (Actual)

May 5, 2014

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2017

Study Completion (Actual)

July 18, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 5, 2014

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 5, 2014

First Posted (Estimated)

April 9, 2014

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 25, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 21, 2023

Last Verified

September 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 0113-14-FB

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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