How frailty affects bone loss and broken bones in Veterans with rheumatoid arthritis
Quantifying the Impact of Frailty on Osteoporosis and Fractures in Veterans with Rheumatoid Arthritis
This project looks at how being frail changes bone strength and the chance of broken bones in Veterans who have rheumatoid arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Puget Sound Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132666 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of research using VA health records and clinic tests to connect frailty, bone density, blood inflammation markers, and real-world fracture events. The team will combine bone mineral density scans, lab measures of inflammatory proteins (like IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα), and follow-up data on fractures from Veterans Affairs databases. Researchers will use statistical models to see which aspects of frailty and inflammation are linked to faster bone loss or more fractures. The goal is to find patterns that could help spot Veterans with RA who are most at risk and guide better prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Veterans with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis who receive care in the VA system and have or can get bone density testing and routine blood work.
Not a fit: People without rheumatoid arthritis, non-Veterans, or those who cannot access VA care or provide relevant health records are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify Veterans with RA who are at higher risk of fractures so they can get earlier bone-protecting care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in the general population have linked inflammation and frailty to bone loss and fractures, but applying these findings specifically to Veterans with RA is less well studied and more novel.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wysham, Katherine D — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Wysham, Katherine D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.