Screening trial for brittle bones

Date published: 02/01/2008

Scientists at Manchester University are to take part in a major new screening trial that could pave the way to changes in the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis.

More than 11,000 women from across England will be recruited for the seven-year Screening Of Older women for Prevention of fracture (Scoop) study, which begins this month.

The £4.13 million trial, funded by the Medical Research Council and Arthritis Research Campaign, is one of the largest studies of osteoporosis ever undertaken in the world.

Its aim is to test the effectiveness of individual screening for the brittle bone disease most commonly suffered by women after the menopause.

Osteoporosis causes around 200,000 bone fractures each year in the UK, including 86,000 debilitating hip fractures.

The disease can have an enormous impact on quality of life and costs health and social services around £1.7 billion per year.

Currently most patients are diagnosed with the condition and given treatment only after they have had a fracture.

In some cases, these breaks are life–threatening, and around 20 per cent of those who suffer a hip fracture die within a year.

Experts agree that early diagnosis and prevention could have huge benefits. However, at present there is no proven screening system in the UK.

The Manchester team will work with colleagues from the universities of Southampton, East Anglia, Bristol, Birmingham, York and Sheffield.

Women aged 70 to 85 are to be recruited for the trial from communities close to the seven universities.

Professor Cyrus Cooper, director of the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Resource Centre based at the University of Southampton, said: "Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed using a DXA bone density scan. The scan images allow the strength of bone to be assessed.

"At the moment, women offered a scan are mainly those who have already suffered a fracture or are suspected by their GP to be at high risk.

"Given the magnitude of the public health problem, a widespread and systematic screening programme could cost–effectively prevent fractures."

Claire Severgnini, chief executive of the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS), said: "This study is likely to have a huge impact for those who have osteoporosis as well as for future generations."