One device for osteoporosis; v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Digital Health: Prevention of osteoporosis through early monitoring of multiple measures of bone health in one device.
IRAS ID
317032
Contact name
Jemma Kerns
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
Osteoporosis affects 3 million people in the UK and treatment, including for fragility fractures, costs the NHS £4.4 billion a year (1). With our ageing population this is an important problem, which will continue to increase because 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men will develop osteoporosis. This is detrimental to the individuals and society, as well as a significant healthcare burden to the NHS. There is no screening programme for osteoporosis, and the majority of research studies and interventions are focused on the over 60s.
This project aims to develop and evaluate the application of miniaturised Raman spectroscopy to the identification and monitoring of osteoporosis.
To do this will we recruit participants attending for their DXA scan, and collect a sample of their hair, nail and urine, along with clinical data (height, weight, fracture history, medications). Participants will also be given an accelerometer to use for 7 days to monitor physical activity levels.
Samples will be taken to Lancaster University and analysed using Raman spectroscopy. All the data will be brought together and analysed to produce a model and method for monitoring bone health using hair/nail and urine samples.
This study is about developing a new technology to measure bone health which can diagnose osteoporosis. Therefore, we want to find out the views of people with lived experience of osteoporosis, as well as the clinicians/HCPs and organisations who work with them. We want to understand their views about these types of tests, and the process of undertaking them. As well as a participant group we will also recruit a user engagement group to contribute to the development of the device.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0860
Date of REC Opinion
24 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion