BBS Call on members to help with important Research Study

BBS Call on members to help with important Research Study

Replacing conventional spine radiographs with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in children

with suspected reduction in bone density.

Dr Amaka Offiah, in association with Professor Nick Bishop at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, are hoping to undertake the above study and requires two people with an interest in the future treatment of children with OI to join their advisory group.

For more information about the study click here.

The research being conducted will involve children attending Sheffield Children’s hospital continuing with current practice (i.e. both radiographs and DXA), however radiologists will interpret the DXA images as if they were radiographs then compare results to make sure that nothing was missed on the DXA scans that was picked up by the radiographs. The study will also be interested in patient and carer experience of the two techniques and will look at cost effectiveness of replacing spine radiographs with DXA. It is anticipated that this will be a 24 month project.

It will be important to have two members of the lay public on the studies Advisory Group. They will advise on the best method by which patient/carer concerns etc might best be determined and will help with the posing of questions/interview format etc of whichever method(s) we decide upon. The support needs of both public members will be identified at the outset of the study through a mentoring scheme (one member of the research group will be assigned to this role). Financially the study will pay each member £50 per meeting (approximately 4 meetings per year) and up to £50 for expenses (e.g. transportation, catering etc).

To be considered you must be over 18 and would ideally live in the Sheffield/South Yorkshire area, for ease of attending meetings etc.

If you are interested in the opportunity to help out with this study please contact the Brittle Bone Society on  01382 204 446  or email Jill Murdoch on jill@brittlebone.org before 18^th May 2010.