Clinical trial NCT04273490: Characterising Pain, QoL, Body Composition, Arterial Stiffness, Muscles and Bones in Adult Persons With XLH and Healthy Controls
Official title: Characterising Pain, Quality of Life, Body Composition, Arterial Stiffness, Muscle Function, Bone Density and Geometry in Adult Persons With Hereditary Hypophosphatemia and Healthy Controls
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: X-linked Hypophosphatemia
Hereditary Hypophosphatemia
Lead sponsor: University of Aarhus
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2020-02-18
Enrollment: 92
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: 50 persons with hereditary hypophosphatemia and 50 control persons without disturbances in the calcium, vitamin D or phosphate homeostasis, matched by age (+/- 2 years) and gender. For women, matching will also be performed on menopausal status (pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal\*).

\*Pre-menopausal = regular periods Peri-menopausal = irregular periods +/- hot flashes Post-menopausal = last period ≥1 year ago

Brief summary: Hereditary hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, inherited disease. Loss-of-function mutation in the phosphate regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases on the X-chromosome (PHEX) results in excess fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production and manifests as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

This study aims to characterize and measure pain, quality of life, muscle function, body composition, arterial stiffness, bone mineral density, geometry and microarchitecture in patients with XLH compared to age and gender-matched controls.

Detailed description: Hereditary hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, inherited disease. Loss-of-function mutation in PHEX results in excess fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production and manifests as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. FGF23 is a hormone that reduces renal phosphate reabsorption, decreases renal 1α-hydroxylase activity and increases renal 24-hydroxylase activity. As a consequence, individuals with XLH display hypophosphatemia and inadequate levels of 1,25(OH)2D (1). Therefore, conventional medical treatment of XLH aims to replace the loss with oral phosphate and activated vitamin D analogues.

The pain experienced by patients with hypophosphatemic rickets is not well characterized and needs to be addressed in order to establish the most optimal pain management in patients with XLH. The causes of pain experienced by patients with XLH are numerous: osteomalacia, enthesopathy, muscular pain, lower limb deformities, secondary arthrosis, nerve compression, and dental abscesses (3).

Quality of life (QoL) in patients with XLH is only briefly studied (4, 5). A French study found significantly decreased QoL among adult patients with XLH compared to patients with axial spondylarthritis. Especially enthesopathies were associated with a decreased QoL (4).

Increased blood levels of FGF23 are not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in itself (6-8). However, conventional therapy for patients with XLH may increase their cardiovascular risk since complications to the therapy such as nephrocalcinosis and hyperparathyroidism are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Arterial stiffness may be a valuable marker of increased cardiovascular risk as it has been able to predict cardiovascular disease and mortality in different populations (10, 11). If conventional therapy increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, arterial stiffness may be increased among patients with XLH which may depend on treatment status (i.e., currently treated, currently non-treated, accumulated (years of) treatment and treatment naïve).

Patients with XLH often complain about muscle fatigue and exhaustion. Muscle function in XLH is thought to be compromised by chronic hypophosphatemia, but the effect of XLH on muscle function has only been briefly evaluated (12, 13).

There are no available reports on body composition in XLH adults, but body mass index (BMI) in XLH is increased compared to controls (14).

In previous studies, examinations by high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) have shown significantly larger total bone area in patients with XLH compared to individuals without XLH. However, patients with XLH have a reduced number of trabeculae and cortical thickness (15). These differences are seen regardless of treatment. When receiving conventional treatment, the cortical porosity is significantly elevated compared to patients with XLH who receive no treatment (17).

HYPOTHESES:

Primary null hypotheses:

* There is no difference in pressure pain threshold between groups.
* There is no difference in QoL between groups.
* There is no difference in arterial stiffness assessed by tonometry between groups.
* There is no difference in 24h blood pressure between groups.
* There is no difference in muscle strength and function between groups.
* There is no difference in body composition between groups.
* There is no difference in bone mineral density, geometry, microarchitecture or estimated strength between groups.
* There is no difference in presence of osteoid-volume, -surface or -thickness, osteoclast number, osteoblastic surface, osteoblast morphology or mineralization time between groups.
* Osteomalacia is not more common in bone biopsies from patients with XLH compared to controls.

Secondary null hypotheses:

* There is no difference in arterial stiffness within the XLH group when stratifying for treatment status.
* There is no difference in 24h blood pressure within the XLH group when stratifying for treatment status.
* There is no difference in bone mineral density, geometry, microarchitecture or estimated strength within the XLH group when stratifying for treatment status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study design:

A cross-sectional study of adult persons with XLH and an age- and gender-matched control group.

Population:

The investigators plan to include 50 persons with XLH and 50 control persons without disturbances in the calcium, vitamin D or phosphate homeostasis, matched by age (+/- 2 years) and gender. For women, matching will also be performed on menopausal status.

EXAMINATIONS

Questionnaires:

Pain will be assessed by a bone-specific questionnaire (FACT-BP), a questionnaire for general pain (Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)), and one for assessment of neuropathic pain (painDETECT).

The participant's level of catastrophic thinking will be assessed with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Depression and anxiety will be assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7).

Quality of Life will be measured by the SF-36 questionnaire (SF36v2).

Pressure algometry:

Mechanical pressure pain over the bone will be determined as force (N) per skin area (cm2) by a handhold pressure algometer with a 1 cm2 probe (Algometer II, Somedic SenseLab AB) (18). The 1 cm2 probe will be directed perpendicularly to the skin and pressure will be applied at a constant force increase rate until the participant identifies the pressure as pain and presses a button (pressure pain threshold (PPT)). PPT will be measured over the sternum and also corresponding to the tibia 5 cm below the patella. The skin between the thumb and the index finger of the non-dominant hand will be measured as a control site.

Biochemistry:

Blood samples will be collected in a fasting state. The investigators will measure ionized calcium, phosphate, magnesium, creatinine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D metabolites (such as 25OHD; 1,25(OH)2D; 24,25(OH)2D; 1,24,25(OH)3D), vitamin D binding protein, FGF23, sclerostin, Klotho, osteopontin, and bone turnover markers (such as CTX, P1NP, osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase), and relevant genes for hereditary hypophosphatemia (if not previously genetically verified).

24 hour urine will be collected for measurement of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, creatinin, sodium and potassium.

Blood pressure and arterial stiffness 24-hour blood pressure will be measured using Arteriograph24. Arterial stiffness and pulse wave analysis (PWA) will be assessed by tonometry using the SphygmoCor system (Xcel; AtCor Medical, Sydney, NSW, Australia). Participants treated with betablockers will be excluded from blood pressure and arterial stiffness measurements.

Muscle function The investigators will assess upper and lower extremity strength by handgrip strength, elbow flexion and extension, and knee flexion and extension using the adjustable dynamometer chair (Good Strength; Metitur Ltd, Finland). To assess physical function, the investigators will use the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, repeated chair rising, repeated weight lifting and 6-minutes' walk test (6 MWT).

Physical examination In order to quantify the degree of malformation of the joints in the lower extremities, the smallest distance between knees and between ankles will be measured in standing, weight bearing position.

Joint mobility The investigators will assess joint function in enthesopathy-suspected joints (neck/back, hip, knee and ankle) as well as shoulder, elbow, wrist and knee in order to discriminate between pain originating from osteomalacia or from enthesopathies.

Body composition and VFA using DXA Body composition and bone mineral density (Forearm, hip, lumbar spine and whole body) will be assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Discovery A scanner; Hologic, USA). Obtaining vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) by DXA enables us to exclude reported back pain being due to vertebral compression fractures.

High-resolution peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography:

A HRpQCT bone scan of the dominant distal tibia and radius will be performed using an Xtreme CT-scanner (SCANCO Medical AG, Switzerland).

Bone biopsies:

Optional bone biopsies will be taken after assessment of pain characteristics. Participation in the overall study is allowed without participating in this examination.

One 7 mm biopsy marked with tetracyclin 14, 13, 4, and 3 days prior will be fixed in ethanol and analysed by HRpQCT, Nano-scale and histomorphometry.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Understand oral and written Danish
* Able to consent

For XLH only:

1. genetically verified XLH by detection of a disease-causing mutation in PHEX or a positive family history of X-linked hypophosphatemia.
2. biochemically verified hereditary hypophosphatemia: serum PO4 below normal range and low TmPO4/GFR, and/or elevated serum FGF23 and a history of childhood rickets or spontaneous endodontic abscesses to exclude acquired hypophosphatemia, e.g., tumor-induced osteomalacia.

   Exclusion Criteria:
   * P-25OHD \< 25 mmol/L\*
   * Severe co-morbidities, which in the opinion of the investigator may have major impact on study outcomes. This may include, but is not limited to o poorly controlled hyperthyroidism o Paget disease

     o type 1 diabetes mellitus or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

     o severe and chronic cardiac, liver, or renal disease

     o Cushing syndrome

     o Rheumatoid arthritis

     o Active pancreatitis

     o Malnutrition

     o Recent prolonged immobility\*

     o Active malignancy (including myeloma)
   * Treatment with

     o Burosumab
     * Beta-blockers
     * Oral steroids
   * For controls only:

     * disturbances in the calcium or phosphate homeostasis

       * participants with low 25OHD levels or recent immobility may be re-screened for participations 6 months after this has been corrected

Primary outcomes:
measure: PPT
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Quality of life in patients with bone-specific pain
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: General pain: Brief Pain Inventory
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Neuropathic pain: questionnaire (painDETECT)
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Health-related quality of life: SF36v2
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
timeFrame: 24 hours
measure: Pulse wave velocity
timeFrame: 45 minutes
measure: Arterial stiffness
timeFrame: 45 minutes
measure: Arterial stiffness
timeFrame: 24 hours
measure: Maximum strength
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Maximal force production
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Timed Up and Go
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Repeated chair rising
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Repeated weight lifting
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: 6-minutes' walk test
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Body composition
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Vertebral Fracture Assessment
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Volumetric bone mineral density
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Bone geometry
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Bone microarchitecture
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Estimated bone strength
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Mineralization rate
timeFrame: 14 days
measure: Mineralization lag time
timeFrame: 14 days
measure: Osteoid volume
timeFrame: 14 days
measure: Osteoid thickness
timeFrame: 14 days
measure: Osteoid surface covering
timeFrame: 14 days
measure: Percentage of surface covered by osteoblasts
timeFrame: 14 days
measure: Percentage of surface covered by osteoclasts
timeFrame: 14 days
measure: Lacunar concentration of mineralization inhibitors
timeFrame: 14 days
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Catastrophic thinking
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Depression
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Anxiety
timeFrame: Day 1
Other outcomes:
measure: Smallest distance between knees.
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Smallest distance between ankles.
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Joint mobility
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Areal bone mineral density (aBMD)
timeFrame: Day 2
measure: Plasma concentration of ion-calcium
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of phosphate
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of magnesium
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of creatinine
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of PTH
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Concentration of vitamin D metabolites
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of FGF23
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of sclerostin
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of klotho
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of osteopontin
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentrations of bone turnover markers
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Plasma concentration of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Urine calcium
timeFrame: 24 hours
measure: Urine phosphate
timeFrame: 24 hours
measure: Urine magnesium
timeFrame: 24 hours
measure: Urine creatinine
timeFrame: 24 hours
measure: Urine sodium
timeFrame: 24 hours
measure: Urine potassium
timeFrame: 24 hours
Locations:
city: Aarhus N
country: Denmark
facility: Dept. of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, The Osteoporosis Clinic
Study officials:
affiliation: Dept. of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, The Osteoporosis Clinic
name: Lars Rejnmark
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: