Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Clinical trial for treatment of low bone density

The staff of the IBD Center

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.

	For more information about the IBD Center or ongoing studies, call (617) 355-2962 or visit. www.childrenshospital.org/ibd