NETSCC, HTA 1 March 2012 The Health Technology Assessment programme is managed by NETSCC, HTA as part of the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre at the University of Southampton. Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park tel: +44(0)23 8059 5586 Southampton SO16 7NS fax: +44(0)23 8059 5639 Suggest a topic for research via our online form at www.hta.ac.uk/suggest email:
[email protected] www.hta.ac.uk Bone turnover markers Technology Assessment Report commissioned by the NIHR HTA – Protocol 1. Title of the project: Bone turnover markers for monitoring the response to osteoporosis treatment: the secondary prevention of fractures, and primary prevention of fractures in high risk groups. 2. Name of TAR team and ‘lead’ Centre for Reviews and Dissemination/Centre for Health Economics Technology Assessment Group, University of York. Dawn Craig, Research Fellow, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD Tel: (01904) 321052 Fax: (01904) 321041 Email:
[email protected] 3. Plain English Summary Bone turnover is the process of bone breakdown and renewal; under normal circumstances, these two parts of the process are balanced to ensure a constant bone density. If this balance is not maintained, bone structure, mass and strength may be altered. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone mineral density is reduced as a result of increased bone breakdown and/or decreased bone renewal. Osteoporosis is thought to be responsible for 200,000 fractures every year, with broken wrists, hips and spinal bones the most common. The measurement of products in the blood or urine as a result of either bone breakdown or formation can be used to monitor bone turnover.