Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

The Oswestry Metabolic BONE Cohort

This study aims to understand why some people are more likely to break bones, even if they don't have severe osteoporosis. It's called the Oswestry Metabolic BONE Cohort study and focuses on conditions like osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes. Researchers will use information collected during routine patient care, such as scans (like MRI and CT), medical history, and sometimes biological samples, to get a full picture of bone health. The goal is to find new ways to predict fracture risk and understand how different treatments work. By looking at a wide range of factors, including lifestyle and even gut health, the study hopes to improve care and reduce broken bones for people in the UK.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District NHS Trust

Enrolment target

4,200

Start

01 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2035

Osteoporosis

What is this study about?

This study, called the Oswestry Metabolic BONE Cohort, is all about understanding why people break bones and how we can prevent it, especially for those with conditions like osteoporosis. Osteoporosis makes bones weaker and more likely to fracture, and these broken bones can cause a lot of health problems. We already know some things that increase the risk, like low bone density, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and family history. There's a tool called FRAX that helps doctors predict this risk.

However, this study wants to go further. They believe that other health conditions that are common today, like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and muscle weakness (known as sarcopenia), might also play a big role in bone strength and fracture risk. For example, while obesity might seem to make bones stronger, it can sometimes paradoxically increase the risk of fractures. The researchers will look at information already collected during routine hospital visits, like weight, waist measurements, and other health details. They might also use advanced techniques to study things like your metabolism and gut bacteria to see how these might affect your bones.

The main goal is to gather all this information – from standard health checks to more advanced scientific findings – to get a complete picture of what makes someone prone to breaking a bone. This will help doctors better predict who is at risk and find better ways to treat patients and prevent fractures in the future. The team at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital has a lot of experience and information from many patients over the years, which they plan to use anonymously to help everyone understand bone health better.

Key takeaways

Aims to deeply understand why bones break and how to prevent it.
Uses existing patient health information from routine care.
Investigates the link between bone health and conditions like obesity, diabetes, and muscle weakness.
Could lead to better ways to predict and treat fractures.
Your data will be anonymised to protect your privacy.
No extra hospital visits or new medicines required for participation.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for certain people to be included. Generally, you might be eligible if you are a woman who has gone through menopause or a man over 50 years old. You would have had a bone fracture (a broken bone that wasn't from a major accident) within the last two years. This fracture could be in your spine, hip, wrist, arm, pelvis, elbow, rib, chest bone, collarbone, shoulder blade, upper or lower leg, or foot.

Also, to be part of this study, you would have had a special bone density scan (called a DXA scan) of your lower back and hip taken sometime between 2025 and 2035. Your bone density results from this scan should show that you don't yet have severe osteoporosis (specifically, your T-score would be higher than -2.5), and you haven't been recommended to start treatment for osteoporosis after that scan.

However, some people cannot join. If your broken bone was from a serious accident (a traumatic fracture) or if you are unable to understand and agree to take part in the study, unfortunately, you wouldn't be able to participate. Anyone aged 18 or older can be considered for the study, regardless of gender.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman who has gone through menopause OR a man over 50 years old?
Have you broken a bone (not from a major accident) in the last two years that was in your spine, hip, wrist, or another listed area?
Did you have a bone density scan (DXA) of your lower back and hip between 2025 and 2035?
Does your DXA scan show your bone density is not yet severely low (T-score higher than -2.5)?
Were you NOT recommended to start osteoporosis treatment after that DXA scan?
Are you able to understand and agree to take part in the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study primarily uses health information that is already collected during your standard care visits to the hospital's metabolic bone service. This means you likely won't need extra visits just for the study. Researchers will look at your medical records, including details from your GP, and information from scans like MRI or CT, and sometimes biological samples you might have given as part of your regular care.

The collected data will be kept anonymous before being analysed. The study will not involve any new medications specifically for research purposes. This is an ongoing study that collects information over time, so there isn't a single 'end date' for your participation; instead, your health journey will be followed through your existing medical records over a period of time.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study mainly involves allowing researchers to use your existing health data, which is made anonymous, to learn more about bone health. This means there are no direct extra medical risks to you. The main benefit is that the knowledge gained from your anonymous information, combined with many other patients' data, will help improve how doctors understand, predict, and treat broken bones for everyone in the future. You have the right to withdraw your consent for your data to be used at any time, without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Oswestry, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become weak and more prone to breaking, even from a minor fall or bump.

What does 'fragility fracture' mean?

A fragility fracture is a broken bone that happens from a fall from standing height or less, showing that your bones might be weaker than they should be.

Will I have to take any new medicines for this study?

No, this study doesn't ask you to take any new or different medicines. It uses information from your standard medical care.

How will my personal information be kept private?

All your health information used in the study will be made anonymous before it is analysed, meaning your name or other identifying details won't be linked to the data.

Is this study only about osteoporosis?

While it focuses on bone health, the study also looks at how conditions like obesity, diabetes, and muscle weakness might affect your risk of breaking bones.

How to find out more

Claire Dr Mennan, PhD

claire.mennan@nhs.net 01691 404699 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.