Center for Inflammatory
Bowel Disease
Clinical trial for treatment of low bone density
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term encompassing both
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are chronic inflammatory
conditions of the intestine that also may affect the skin, eyes,
joints, liver and mouth. Both disorders can begin during childhood
or adolescence, and are usually associated with embarrassing symptoms
such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea or loss of appetite, which
along with anemia and fatigue, may interfere with the patient's
quality of life. Comprehensive care in an integrated program provides
the best approach to keeping young people with IBD active and
feeling well.
The Center
for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Children's Hospital Boston
is a team of physicians, nurses, nutritionists and other professionals
dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of children with
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's. Care is provided both at Children's
main campus and at satellite offices in the suburbs. In addition,
the IBD Center does research on the causes, diagnosis and treatment
of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's.
Among the 13 studies currently being conducted is a clinical
trial of calcitonin for the treatment of low bone density. Many
young patients with IBD have lower than normal bone mineral density,
sometimes because of corticosteroid therapy, so patients who participate
in the study first have their bone mineral content measured using
a very low dose x-ray technique known as DXA. If the patient has
a low bone density, he or she is asked to take either calcitonin
nasal spray or placebo, in addition to extra daily calcium and
vitamin D. The 18-month study consists of visits every three months
to continually monitor the patients' health and their participation
in the study.
