ADVANTAGE BONE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Added Value of Bone Microstructure Assessment in the Management of Osteoporotic Bone
IRAS ID
345865
Contact name
Chadi Rakieh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Research Department, RJAH
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterised by weakened bones which are more prone to fracture. At the RJAH patients routinely undergo a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, which is non-invasive, uses low ionising radiation and provides information on bone mineral density (BMD), which can help predict a patients risk of fracture and aids the diagnosis of Osteoporosis.
DEXA only gives information on the amount of bone (BMD) but not bone quality. Assessment of bone microstructure, an important determinant of bone strength and fracture risk, can be carried by using a software called trabecular bone score (TBS). TBS measures bone texture on already acquired DEXA imaging. TBS is a non-invasive, radiation-free, cheap diagnostic tool using images acquired on a DEXA scanner. This allows an assessment of trabecular (spongy) bone microarchitecture. This score of bone microarchitecture can be used alongside BMD, to support the fulfilment of the World Health Organisation definition of Osteoporosis. TBS as a measure of bone health can be used as a risk factor for fragility fracture, to inform treatment decision-making and monitor the effect of treatment on bone.
The TBS software company (Medimaps) is developing an enhanced version (V4) of the current TBS (V3) software that is likely to be more accurate especially in overweight patients. The metabolic bone unit at RJAH is keen to have research collaboration with Medimaps to test their newer software versions on our patient cohorts. The company will analyse anonymous images from our cohorts retrospectively and provide us with microstructure scores to be used as predictors of fracture or response to treatment.
This research will be done as standard of care on existing data, to assess the newer versions of the software. This collaborative research will lead to a better understanding of the value of bone microstructure in fracture assessment and management.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0220
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion