Bone Deterioration After Kidney Transplantation Assessed by DXA and HR-pQCT (DXACT)

November 6, 2026 updated by: Medical University Innsbruck

Prospective Imaging-based Assessment of Skeletal Deterioration After Kidney Transplantation Using DXA and HR-pQCT (DXACT Study)

The goal of this observational study is to learn how bone health changes during the first year after kidney transplantation in adults receiving their first kidney transplant.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • How many patients show a clinically relevant decline in bone density or bone structure within 12 months after transplantation?
  • Does a standard bone density scan (DXA) detect these changes as well as a high-resolution scan of bone structure (HR-pQCT)?

Participants will:

  • Have a DXA scan of the lower spine, hip and forearm and an HR-pQCT scan of the forearm and lower leg shortly after transplantation and again after 12 months. Participants followed up in Innsbruck may also have these scans after 6 months.
  • Give blood and urine samples at the same visits, taken together with routine blood tests whenever possible, for bone and mineral markers and storage in a biobank.

The study does not change any treatment. All treatment decisions remain with the patients' physicians.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Bone mineral density declines rapidly during the first 6-12 months after kidney transplantation, driven by glucocorticoid exposure, persistent chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and changes in bone turnover. This period coincides with the highest fracture risk. DXA-scans provide areal bone mineral density only and cannot distinguish cortical from trabecular bone or assess microarchitecture, so it may underestimate early cortical deterioration. HR-pQCT measures volumetric bone mineral density, cortical and trabecular microarchitecture and, by finite element analysis, estimated bone strength.

DXACT is an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-centre observational cohort study at the Medical University of Innsbruck. Baseline clinical and laboratory assessment is performed 7 +/- 2 days and imaging 10 +/- 7 days after transplantation; assessments are repeated at 12 months, with an optional 6-month visit for participants followed locally. HR-pQCT is performed at the distal radius and distal tibia of the dominant side (contralateral side if a vascular access or implant is present); DXA at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), hip and distal radius (33%).

Clinically relevant skeletal deterioration is defined as a change exceeding the least significant change (LSC = 2.77 x precision CV) of the respective modality and parameter. Laboratory assessments include parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy- and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphate, P1NP, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, TRAP5b, CTX, osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin. EDTA plasma and urine are stored in a pseudonymised biobank at -80 °C.

Analyses are primarily descriptive and exploratory. Planned analyses include agreement and discordance between DXA- and HR-pQCT-based classification, associations of imaging changes with biochemical markers and clinical factors (age, sex, dialysis vintage, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, rejection, graft function), and comparison by graft function at 12 months. Incident fragility fractures beyond 12 months may be retrieved from routine clinical records without further participant contact.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

100

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Austria
    • Tyrol
      • Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria, 6020
        • Recruiting
        • Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Internal Medicine IV, Nephrology and Hypertension
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Andreas Kronbichler, MD, PhD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Clemens Untersulzner, MD

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 and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult recipients of a first kidney transplant (living or deceased donor) treated at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria, who are approached by the study team within 10 days after transplantation.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 years or older at the time of kidney transplantation
  • First kidney transplantation (living or deceased donor)
  • Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent
  • Enrolment possible within 10 days after kidney transplantation
  • Clinical stability sufficient to undergo imaging procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous kidney transplantation
  • Prior or ongoing treatment with antiresorptive or osteoanabolic therapies (e.g. bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide) at the time of transplantation
  • Conditions precluding reliable bone imaging, including metal implants at the measurement sites
  • Contraindications to HR-pQCT or DXA
  • Inability to undergo imaging due to physical or technical limitations
  • Known metabolic bone diseases unrelated to chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD)
  • Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with study participation, data quality or protocol adherence

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: COHORT
  • Time Perspectives: PROSPECTIVE

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Kidney transplant recipients

Adults (18 years or older) who received a first kidney transplant (living or deceased donor) at the Medical University of Innsbruck and are enrolled within 10 days after transplantation.
Diagnostic test: DXA and HR-pQCT

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine (L1-L4), hip and distal radius (33%) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the distal radius and distal tibia, performed at baseline (10 +/- 7 days after kidney transplantation) and at 12 months, with an optional 6-month visit. Imaging is used for research only; no treatment is assigned.

Other Names:
  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
  • High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography
Other: Blood and urine sampling

Blood and urine samples at each study visit, taken together with routine blood draws, for markers of bone and mineral metabolism and storage in a biobank.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Proportion of Participants With Clinically Relevant Skeletal Deterioration on HR-pQCT
Time Frame: Baseline (10 +/- 7 days after transplantation) to 12 months

Deterioration exceeding the least significant change (LSC = 2.77 x precision CV) in at least one of cortical thickness, cortical porosity or finite element-derived failure load at the distal radius or distal tibia.
Baseline (10 +/- 7 days after transplantation) to 12 months
Proportion of Participants With Clinically Relevant Skeletal Deterioration on DXA
Time Frame: Baseline (10 +/- 7 days after transplantation) to 12 months

Decrease in areal bone mineral density exceeding the site-specific least significant change at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), hip or distal radius (33%).
Baseline (10 +/- 7 days after transplantation) to 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Cortical Thickness
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (mm) and relative (%) change in cortical thickness at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Cortical Porosity
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (percentage points) and relative change in cortical porosity at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Total Volumetric BMD
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (mg HA/cm³) and relative (%) change in total volumetric bone mineral density at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Cortical Volumetric BMD
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (mg HA/cm³) and relative (%) change in cortical volumetric bone mineral density at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Trabecular Volumetric BMD
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (mg HA/cm³) and relative (%) change in trabecular volumetric bone mineral density at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Trabecular Number
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (1/mm) and relative (%) change in trabecular number at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Trabecular Thickness
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (mm) and relative (%) change in trabecular thickness at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Trabecular Separation
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute (mm) and relative (%) change in trabecular separation at the distal radius and distal tibia measured by HR-pQCT.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Biochemical Markers of Bone and Mineral Metabolism
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Change in parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphate, P1NP, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, TRAP5b, CTX, osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Estimated Bone Strength (Failure Load)
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute and relative change in finite element-derived failure load (N) at the distal radius and distal tibia.
Baseline to 12 months
Change in Areal Bone Mineral Density
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Absolute and relative change in areal BMD (g/cm2) at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), total hip, femoral neck and distal radius (33%) measured by DXA.
Baseline to 12 months
Skeletal Changes by Graft Function
Time Frame: 12 months

Comparison of HR-pQCT and DXA changes between participants with eGFR >= 60 and < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (CKD-EPI 2021) at 12 months.
12 months

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Discordance Between DXA and HR-pQCT Classification
Time Frame: 12 months

Proportion of participants classified differently by DXA and HR-pQCT, in particular stable DXA with deterioration on HR-pQCT.
12 months
Association of Dialysis Vintage With Skeletal Deterioration
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months

Pre-transplant dialysis duration (continuous; pre-emptive, < 12, >= 12 months) as predictor of imaging-derived skeletal changes.
Baseline to 12 months
Incident Fragility Fractures
Time Frame: Up to 5 years after transplantation

Fragility fractures retrieved from routine clinical records without participant contact.
Up to 5 years after transplantation

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Medical University Innsbruck

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Andreas Kronbichler, MD, PhD, Medical University Innsbruck

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)

October 21, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 28, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 6, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

November 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 6, 2026

Last Verified

October 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • DXACT-003
  • 1140/2026 (Other Identifier: Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Innsbruck)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared publicly, as participant consent does not cover transfer to third parties. De-identified data may be made available by the study lead upon reasonable request, subject to approval by the ethics committee and data protection regulations.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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