Grant: Operating Grant

Osteoporosis is a common bone disorder that can affect people of any age, even children. The role of muscle as a determinant of bone health is increasingly recognized, but factors influencing muscle-bone interactions across the lifespan have not been investigated in detail. Overall Objective: In this study we will elucidate determinants of muscle-bone interactions in Canadians from 6 to 79 years of age. Study Design: The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) is a fully operational program for determining health indicators the Canadian population that is led by Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada has agreed to our proposal to collect data on musculoskeletal health in a population-based sample of 10,000 Canadians from 6 to 79 years of age. Participants will undergo peripheral quantitative computed tomography to assess muscle and bone characteristics at the lower leg, muscle function tests, as well as biomarkers of bone metabolism. The aims are (1) to develop reference data for key musculoskeletal parameters; (2) to assess the muscle-bone relationship in healthy subjects and (3) to assess the effect of common obesity on the muscle-bone relationship. Statistics Canada has agreed to contribute $5,700,000 to this project. Clinical Importance: These studies will improve tools to study muscle-bone interactions and identify factors that can be targeted for interventions. As CHMS makes raw data of all studies available to the Canadian scientific community, the present project establishes a research platform that can be accessed by multiple investigators in Canada.