The University of Aberdeen has been awarded a collaborative research grant worth over £530,000 with Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and a pharmaceutical company, Organon, to undertake a study of the value of screening for osteoporosis risk in women aged 60-80 years in the Highland region.
Osteoporosis is the major cause of fractures of the bones (wrist, back and hip), which collectively affect 40% of post-menopausal women and cost the UK more than £1.7billion each year. At present, the best method of identifying women at risk is by measuring bone density at the spine and hip.
David Reid, Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Aberdeen, is leading the research. He said: “Osteoporosis and its associated fractures are devastating to the women affected and very expensive for the health service.
“In the Highlands, screening has only been offered to women with specific risk factors. This new initiative will allow us to test the potential value of screening the entire female population of women aged 60-80 using our current method of detection of risk - that is bone density measurement. It will also allow us to test possible new genetic tests which it is hoped to be an improved method of detecting those at risk in the future.”
Over the last six months, a new service for bone density measurement has been started in the Highlands. Headed by Dr Malcolm Steven, Consultant Rheumatologist at Raigmore Hospital, the service has been supported by NHS Highland following a generous donation of a bone density scanner by Highland Cross.
The initial funding for the new collaborative study will be used to offer a screening opportunity to around 1,000 women in the Highland region. Women from selected general practices will be invited to take part in the study by their own GP and, if willing, will be given an appointment to have a bone density scan at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Dingwall. They will also be asked to donate a blood sample for future genetic testing. Those women found to be at risk of fracture will be invited to participate in a five-year follow-up study investigating the use of a low-dose synthetic hormone, Tibolone, which is being tested to detect its role in the prevention of future fractures.
Mr Richard Carey, Chief Executive of Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This new research study gives those of us who work at Raigmore a real opportunity to further develop our research plans by assisting with start-up funds to provide a new clinical research facility. The current study will benefit patients at risk of osteoporosis but the facility will allow our staff to further other research plans into heart disease and arthritis.”
Women who are invited to participate in the screening study will be chosen randomly from GP lists. However, any woman aged 60 to 80 who may be at risk of osteoporosis, or who may be interested in participating in the add-on drug study with the new agent, should contact Fiona McGhie, Research Nurse at Raigmore Hospital, on (01463) 704000, or Mrs Margaret Thorburn, Osteoporosis Unit at Dingwall, on (01349) 863313 ext. 126. Alternatively you can write to Fiona at the Clinical Research Unit, Outpatients Department, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3UJ.
For further information contact: Angela Begg, Media Relations, on: (01224) 272960.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272014 Fax: (01224) 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-272960 or email a.begg@abdn.ac.uk.