This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait (SCT) is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans (AA) carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.
Quratulain Ali, MPH, CCRP | |
860-679-7648 | |
[email protected] |
1 United States site
18 to 45 Years
Observational
18 Years - 45 Years
Female
Other
Unknown
Age 18-45 years.
Female.
Regular menstrual periods.
Self-identification of African American race.
Taking oral contraceptives or medications known to influence bone metabolism (e.g. Glucocorticoids, anti-resorptive or anabolic medications for osteoporosis, pharmacologic Vit D dosing).
Known metabolic bone disorder (e.g. uncontrolled thyroid disease, hyperparathyroidism).
Pregnant, breast-feeding, or within 3 months post-partum.
Taking an investigational drug.