Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population - Canadian Incidence Study

To determine the magnitude and rate of bone mass deficits following initiation of glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of pediatric leukemia, rheumatic conditions and nephrotic syndrome, we propose a 6 year, prospective study in 12 academic, tertiary care centres across Canada. The investigators hypothesize that glucocorticoid-treated children with leukemia, rheumatic conditions and nephrotic syndrome will fail to accrue bone mass at a normal rate, and that deficits in mineral accrual will occur in a glucocorticoid dose- and duration-dependent fashion. We also hypothesize that the fracture incidence will increase with concomitant reductions in bone mass.

Sex

All

Minimum age

1 Month

Maximum age

16 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria

1. Children aged \> or = 1 month to \< or = 16 years at the time of enrolment.
2. Clinical diagnosis of one of the following three diseases:

   1. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia OR
   2. Rheumatic disease,OR
   3. Nephrotic syndrome
3. Need for the first-time initiation of intravenous (IV) or oral glucocorticoid therapy (regardless of the dose or duration) for the treatment of the leukemia, nephrotic syndrome or rheumatic conditions, as determined by the attending physician. IV and oral glucocorticoids used in current clinical practice for the treatment of leukemia, nephrotic syndrome and rheumatic conditions include cortisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, dexamethasone, and deflazacorte. If patients are receiving intra-articular, inhaled, intra-nasal or topical corticosteroids, these agents alone do not meet the steroid criteria for enrolment in the study. However, the use of such steroids will be captured as part of the Case Report Form.
4. Only patients who are receiving glucocorticoids for the first time for the treatment of their underlying leukemia, nephrotic syndrome or rheumatic condition, will be included. Patients who have received glucocorticoids in the past for other indications (e.g. asthma), may be included in the study, provided they have not received more than 14 consecutive days of IV or oral steroids in the 12 months prior to the first initiation of steroids for their underlying leukemia, nephrotic syndrome or rheumatic condition. The pre-STOPP study use of glucocorticoids for 14 days or less, for treatment of unrelated medical conditions in the 12 months prior to the first initiation of steroids to treat the underlying leukemia, nephrotic syndrome or rheumatic conditions, will be captured in the Case Report Form.
5. Informed consent.
6. Ability and willingness to maintain a "Glucocorticoid Dose Diary" throughout the study.
7. For menstruating females, a negative pregnancy test will be required prior to enrolment.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to obtain baseline investigations within 30 days of the first-time initiation of glucocorticoids for the treatment of the underlying leukemia, nephrotic syndrome or rheumatic condition.
2. Complete immobilization (patient confined to bed except for toileting) for more than 14 consecutive days in the 12 months prior to the initiation of glucocorticoids for the treatment of their underlying leukemia, nephrotic syndrome or rheumatic condition.
3. Use of IV or oral glucocorticoids for more than 14 consecutive days, for the treatment of unrelated medical conditions, in the 12 months prior to the first initiation of steroids for the treatment of the underlying leukemia, nephrotic syndrome or rheumatic condition.
4. Treatment of osteoporosis with medical therapy prior to the initial baseline visit (treatment with, for example, a bisphosphonate, calcitonin, fluoride).
5. Unwillingness to utilize a medically approved method of birth control if menstruating and sexually active.

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• RESULTHuber AM, Gaboury I, Cabral DA, Lang B, Ni A, Stephure D, Taback S, Dent P, Ellsworth J, LeBlanc C, Saint-Cyr C, Scuccimarri R, Hay J, Lentle B, Matzinger M, Shenouda N, Moher D, Rauch F, Siminoski K, Ward LM; Canadian Steroid-Associated Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population (STOPP) Consortium. Prevalent vertebral fractures among children initiating glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of rheumatic disorders. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010 Apr;62(4):516-26. doi: 10.1002/acr.20171. PMID 20391507
• RESULTHalton J, Gaboury I, Grant R, Alos N, Cummings EA, Matzinger M, Shenouda N, Lentle B, Abish S, Atkinson S, Cairney E, Dix D, Israels S, Stephure D, Wilson B, Hay J, Moher D, Rauch F, Siminoski K, Ward LM; Canadian STOPP Consortium. Advanced vertebral fracture among newly diagnosed children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of the Canadian Steroid-Associated Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population (STOPP) research program. J Bone Miner Res. 2009 Jul;24(7):1326-34. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.090202. PMID 19210218
• RESULTRodd C, Lang B, Ramsay T, Alos N, Huber AM, Cabral DA, Scuccimarri R, Miettunen PM, Roth J, Atkinson SA, Couch R, Cummings EA, Dent PB, Ellsworth J, Hay J, Houghton K, Jurencak R, Larche M, LeBlanc C, Oen K, Saint-Cyr C, Stein R, Stephure D, Taback S, Lentle B, Matzinger M, Shenouda N, Moher D, Rauch F, Siminoski K, Ward LM; Canadian Steroid-Associated Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population (STOPP) Consortium. Incident vertebral fractures among children with rheumatic disorders 12 months after glucocorticoid initiation: a national observational study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012 Jan;64(1):122-31. doi: 10.1002/acr.20589. PMID 22213727
• Alos N, Grant RM, Ramsay T, Halton J, Cummings EA, Miettunen PM, Abish S, Atkinson S, Barr R, Cabral DA, Cairney E, Couch R, Dix DB, Fernandez CV, Hay J, Israels S, Laverdiere C, Lentle B, Lewis V, Matzinger M, Rodd C, Shenouda N, Stein R, Stephure D, Taback S, Wilson B, Williams K, Rauch F, Siminoski K, Ward LM. High incidence of vertebral fractures in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia 12 months after the initiation of therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Aug 1;30(22):2760-7. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2011.40.4830. Epub 2012 Jun 25.