Bone structure and strength after sleeve gastrectomy with risedronate
Official title: Adding bone microarchitecture and strength measures to the STRONG BONES randomized trial examining risedronate use to mitigate bone loss after bariatric surgery
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11305223 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares the osteoporosis drug risedronate to a placebo to help protect bone structure and strength in people aged 40 and older having sleeve gastrectomy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | February 23, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $343,679 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083706-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11305223 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 40 or older who are having sleeve gastrectomy and are eligible to join the STRONG BONES trial at a participating site.
✕Less likely to help
People not having bariatric surgery, those under age 40, or individuals already on bisphosphonate treatment or with contraindications to risedronate are unlikely to benefit from this study.
What this research studies
If you join, you would be part of a group of adults already enrolled in the STRONG BONES trial who are randomly given risedronate or a placebo for six months. The ancillary study adds a high-resolution imaging test (HR-pQCT) of the wrist and shin to look at bone microarchitecture and estimated strength at the start, 6 months, and 12 months. Blood tests and standard bone scans (DXA and CT) from the main trial will also be used to understand changes over time. The extra imaging aims to show more detailed bone changes that standard scans may miss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could show that risedronate better preserves bone microstructure and strength after sleeve gastrectomy, which may lower fracture risk for future patients.
How similar studies have gone: Bisphosphonates have protected bone density in other settings, but using HR-pQCT to track microarchitectural changes after bariatric surgery is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weaver, Ashley — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Weaver, Ashley
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Monthly risedronate pill to protect bones after sleeve gastrectomy
This will see if a once-monthly risedronate pill helps protect bone health for people who have had sleeve gastrectomy.
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Investigating how risedronate can prevent bone loss after bariatric surgery
This study is looking at whether the medication risedronate can help prevent bone loss in people over 40 who have had sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss, and it will involve 120 participants taking either the medication or a placebo for six months.
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Using bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss after weight loss surgery
This study is looking at whether a monthly medication called risedronate can help people who have had sleeve gastrectomy surgery keep their bones strong and reduce the risk of fractures as they lose weight.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.