Academic Bone Densitometry Unit

The Academic Bone Densitometry Unit was established within Hammersmith and the Royal Postgraduate School in the 1960’s when it was involved with research into techniques for the non-invasive assessment of bone mass. Large osteoporosis studies evaluating the efficacy of HRT were first carried out at the Charing Cross campus in the early 1980’s and the centre began acting as an independent Central Evaluation Facility for international multi-centre clinical trials in the late 1980’s.

We have now become established as a centre carrying out high quality research studies and are involved in a number of international clinical trials and research projects assessing bone and body composition. The centre has been involved with numerous studies covering a wide variety of disease areas. These have included studies investigating periprosthetic bone changes in the proximal femur (funded by the ARC), a hip fracture study (Procter & Gamble), a non-randomised prostate cancer study of transdermal oestrogen (Schering) and a study designed to assess changes in bone density in renal transplant patients (‘SMART’ study, Novartis).  We recently completed an academic bone sub-study for the Exemestane trial (Pfizer). This was a randomised double-blind trial in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer who had received adjuvant Tamoxifen for 2-3 years, comparing subsequent adjuvant Exemestane treatment with further Tamoxifen.

Current research interests include assessing the effects of treatment with strontium on measurements of bone mass in humans using different dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) devices and the evaluation of peripheral DXA techniques for monitoring response to osteoporosis therapy.  The centre is also interested in evaluating bone quality around orthopaedic implants (at the knee and hip) and using micro-CT imaging to assess trabecular bone quality.

Key Staff

Research lead in bone densitometry and clinical studies
Dr Rajesh Patel

Principal Investigator, Exemestane Bone Study
Ms Linda M Banks

Study Coordinators
Ms Joy Liao
Ms Suzanne Hodgson