Osteoporosis affects approximately 1.4 million Canadians, largely postmenopausal women and the elderly. Osteoporosis-related fractures are widely recognized as a major health problem, causing considerable illness and consequently enormous financial burden through use of health services.

All research conducted under the auspices of the Osteoporosis Research Program is conducted with one primary goal, which is to improve the delivery of health care to individuals at risk for, or with established, osteoporosis. The program is directed by Dr. Sophie A. Jamal.

Current Studies:

• Nitrates and Bone Turnover (NABT): trial to select the best nitrate preparation

Past and ongoing research encompasses projects in three main areas:

• Risk factors for development of osteoporosis, in particular, predictors of bone loss prior to menopause
• Strategies to optimize osteoporosis diagnosis and management in the primary care setting
• Efficacy of new treatments, both drug therapies and non-drug therapies (such as fall prevention strategies), for women and men with established osteoporosis