Islanders join osteoporosis study

Two thousand people from across Orkney are being recruited to take part in a major study into osteoporosis. The bone thinning condition affects about three million people across Britain. Families are being recruited for the £500,000 Edinburgh University run project, to help identify the genes that cause the disease.

Osteoporosis causes a reduction in bone mass and increases the risk of fractures, especially of the hip.

The study into the condition, which is believed to be mainly hereditary, is being carried out by scientists from Edinburgh University in conjunction with the Medical Research Council. They chose Orkney because of its stable population.

People taking part will have a mineral density of their bones tested, along with blood and DNA samples. Scientists are also carrying out genetic mapping studies in several large families in the islands. If the study is successful researchers say new drugs could be developed to help prevent and treat the condition.