Preventing bone loss in critically ill adults using medications

Bone Loss Prevention With Zoledronic Acid or Denosumab in Critically Ill Adults - A Randomised Controlled Trial

PHASE2 · Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre · NCT04608630

This study is testing if two medications can help prevent bone loss in critically ill adults over 50 who have been in the ICU for more than a day.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment450 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAustralian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre (other)
Drugs / interventionsdenosumab, romosozumab
Locations22 sites (Sydney, New South Wales and 21 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04608630 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of denosumab and zoledronic acid in preventing bone loss in critically ill adults aged 50 and older for women and 70 and older for men, who have been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for more than 24 hours. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either one of the medications or a placebo, and their bone mineral density will be measured over the course of one year. The study aims to address the significant bone loss that occurs during and after critical illness, which can lead to increased fracture risk. By understanding the impact of these treatments, the trial seeks to improve long-term outcomes for ICU survivors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 50 years or older and men aged 70 years or older who have been in the ICU for more than 24 hours and require intensive care support.

Not a fit: Patients with cancer-related metastatic bone disease, severe renal impairment, or those currently receiving anti-fracture treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in critically ill patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that interventions like denosumab and zoledronic acid can be effective in preventing bone loss, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female age ≥ 50 years or male age ≥ 70 years
* Has been in the Intensive Care Unit for 2 or more calendar days and is not expected to be discharged from the Intensive Care Unit on the second day
* Has required Intensive Care Unit level support (i.e. intravenous vasoactive drugs, or invasive mechanical ventilation, or non-invasive ventilation or high flow nasal oxygen at Fraction inspired Oxygen ≥0.4 and/or gas flows ≥40L/m) for a minimum cumulative duration of 6 hours
* Expected to survive the current hospital admission

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cancer related metastatic bone disease or multiple myeloma
* Paget's disease
* Pregnancy
* Current estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate \<30ml/min or receiving renal replacement therapy
* Known contraindication to denosumab or zoledronic acid
* Obvious holes in teeth or broken teeth or dental or gum infection
* Known untreated hypoparathyroidism
* Current treatment with anti-fracture agent (bisphosphonate, strontium or teriparatide within previous 2 years, or menopausal hormone therapy or romosozumab within previous 12-months or denosumab within previous 6 months)
* Current fragility fracture of hip, spine, femur or forearm
* Exceeds weight limit for BMD scan at site or unable to undertake Bone Mineral Density for any reason
* International Normalised Ratio \> 3.0 or Platelet count \< 30 10\^9/L

Where this trial is running

Sydney, New South Wales and 21 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Critical Illness, Osteoporosis, Intensive Care Unit, Bone densitometry, Zoledronic acid, Denosumab

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.