Current Studies
Research study participants needed
Personalizing Osteoporosis Care:
Atypical Femur Fracture (AFF) Clinical and Genetic Risk Factors Study
Fractures from osteoporosis are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined.
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The current approach to preventing osteoporosis related fractures is to provide very different types of people similar types of bone medications in standard dosage, regardless of sex, age, or race, weight or health status. But not all patients experience the same benefits or side effects from treatment. We want to understand why and how treatment can be more personalized in the future.
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Medical researchers from across Canada are looking for volunteers to help them understand how to personalize osteoporosis care.
What is the Personalizing Osteoporosis Care: Atypical Femur Fracture (AFF) Clinical and Genetic Risk Factors Study?
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This national study is examining the relationship between the use of bone medications and genetic makeup for the risk of developing an AFF.
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Specifically we are looking at whether clinical or genetic factors influence the benefits or risks of bone medications, and possible side effects such as Atypical Femur Fractures (AFFs), a serious type of fracture that is not well understood.
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What can I expect as a participant?
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As a participant in this study, we would ask you to attend one of our collaborating centres in your area for a one-time visit, and provide the following:
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Answer questions about your medical/family health history,
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Blood samples for genetic testing, bone health blood tests, and other bone biomarkers,
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Fingernail samples to examine protein structure,
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X-rays of your femurs, either to confirm your AFF or to make sure you don’t have one,
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Bone Mineral Density scan to assess the health of your bones.
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Why should you participate?
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Osteoporosis can strike at any age and affect both women and men. 1 on 3 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.
The current approach to preventing osteoporosis fractures is a “one size fits all” approach. Drug therapies given to patients come in one standard dose, regardless of sex, age, race, and drug metabolism.
We aim to change this by understanding how people respond to medications based on medical history and genetics. With the results of this study, we can identify the best treatment with minimal side effects for each person.
Personalizing osteoporosis treatment is the next step in bone health!
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Funding for this study is granted by the Canadian Institute for Health Research
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Principal Investigator:
Dr. Angela M. Cheung MD, PhD
Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal & Postmenopausal Health
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University Health Network (UHN)
Toronto General Hospital
North Building, 7th Floor, Room 7N-700
585 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 2N2
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Who should participate in this study?
We encourage you to participate if you are:
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a woman over 18 years of age
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have taken bone medications such as
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Risedronate (Actonel)
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Alendronate (Fosamax, Fosavance)
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Etidronate (Didronel, Didrocal)
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Zolendronic (Aclasta, Reclast)
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Pamidronate (Aredia)
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Prolia (Denosumab)
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have or have not had an atypical femur fracture
Who should participate in this study?
We encourage you to participate if you are:
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a woman over 18 years of age
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have taken bone medications such as
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Risedronate (Actonel)
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Alendronate (Fosamax, Fosavance)
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Etidronate (Didronel, Didrocal)
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Zolendronic (Aclasta, Reclast)
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Pamidronate (Aredia)
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Prolia (Denosumab)
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have or have not had an atypical femur fracture
Participating Centres​
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For more information, or to participate, please contact your closest participating centre in Ontario (with more opening soon):
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Toronto, ON
Dr. Angela M. Cheung MD, PhD
University Health Network
Toronto General Hospital
585 University Avenue
North Building, 7th Floor, Room 7N-700
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Contact: Sam Melk
Phone: 416-340-4800 x 5703
Email: osteoporosis@uhn.ca
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*Cantonese/Mandarin Information:
Contact: Eva Yee 余憶眉
Phone: 416-340-4800 x 8049
Email: Eva.Yee@uhn.ca
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Hamilton, ON
Dr. JD Adachi, MD
501 - 25 Charlton Ave., E.
Hamilton ON L8N 1Y2
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Contact: Shannon Reitsma
Phone: 905-529-0612
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Oakville, ON
Dr. Aliya Khan MD, FRCPC, FACP, FACE
Bone Research & Education Centre
223-3075 Hospital Gate
Contact: Namrah Siraj
Phone: 905-844-5677
Email: namrah@boneresearch.ca
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