RECRUITINGOBSERVATIONAL

Bone Loss, Physical Function and Frailty in Older Women With Sickle Cell Trait Sickle Cell Trait

Bone Loss, Physical Function and Frailty in Older Women With Sickle Cell Trait

About This Trial

This is a cross-sectional, clinical research study comparing postmenopausal women of African Descent (AD) with different hemoglobin genotypes: normal and sickle cell trait (SCT). This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having SCT is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning in older women. The second purpose is to investigate whether women with SCT have reduced muscle function and increased frailty compared to women without SCT. The investigators estimate enrolling 50 female volunteers who are at least 50 years old and have not had a menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months. Volunteers need not know whether they have SCT as this will be evaluated as part of the study.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Female of African Decent. - Age 50 years or older. - Lack of menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Taking medications known to influence bone metabolism (e.g., glucocorticoids, hormonal therapy, cancer or chemotherapy meds, anti-resorptive medications or anabolic therapies). - Known metabolic bone disorder (e.g., uncontrolled thyroid disease, hyperparathyroidism, Vitamin D deficiency) - Taking an investigational drug - Documented sickle cell disease Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: * Female of African Decent. * Age 50 years or older. * Lack of menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months Exclusion Criteria: * Taking medications known to influence bone metabolism (e.g., glucocorticoids, hormonal therapy, cancer or chemotherapy meds, anti-resorptive medications or anabolic therapies). * Known metabolic bone disorder (e.g., uncontrolled thyroid disease, hyperparathyroidism, Vitamin D deficiency) * Taking an investigational drug * Documented sickle cell disease

Treatments Being Tested

OTHER

Healthy volunteers without SCT

Participants will donate blood for serum bone turnover markers, complete blood count, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, parathyroid hormone, and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Participants will undergo a bone density evaluation and muscle mass measurement via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning. Participants will fill out dietary calcium intake and pain burden questionnaires. Participants will fill out a survey for frailty assessment, undergo 6-minute walk gait velocity and short physical performance battery (SPPB).

OTHER

Healthy volunteers with SCT

Locations (1)

UConn Health

Farmington, Connecticut, United States