UL team discovers new test for Osteoporosis
LIMERICK, Ireland (PRWEB) July 28, 2005
Researchers at the University of Limerick have discovered a groundbreaking method of diagnosism -- a new method of identifying the bone disease, osteoporosis.
Simply by looking at fingernails the team can establish if a person is suffering from the disease.
According to Dr Niamh Rushe, a post doctoral research officer at UL and Dr Mark Towler, leader of the research team, The Bone Quality test (BQT) is cheaper, simpler to use and could prove more accurate than all forms of non-invasive osteoporosis detection available today.
"It is able to detect the onset of osteoporosis by analysing the contents of a fingernail using Raman spectroscopy," says Dr Rushe.
Explaining that the current method of determining whether someone is suffering from the disease is to expose their body to low level x-rays called DXA (dual x-ray absorptiometry) scans which measure bone mineral density, Dr Towler said: "This procedure, which takes place in hospitals, is time consuming, requires trained staff and involves the use of a large machine of which only a certain number are available throughout the country, yet 25 per cent of Irish women will at some stage in their lives suffer from osteoporosis and most will only be referred for a DEXA scan once they have actually suffered a fracture."
Dr Towler said that the new test method can offer early detection before fractures occur and will allow a vastly increased number of patients to be tested efficiently and without the necessity of a referral to a hospital.
Using facilities funded by Crescent Diagnostics Limited, the team has developed the novel Raman spectroscopy based diagnostic test which is able to detect osteoporosis in its early stages by measuring the disulphide bond content of the fingernail using Raman spectroscopy. These properties can be used as an analogue for bone quality, as both nail keratin and bone collagen require sulphation and disulphide bond formation for structural integrity.
"In Ireland bone fractures cost the exchequer around 12 million euro annually excluding costs relating to physiotherapy, drugs and social welfare. In the USA it is estimated that osteoporosis care costs three billion dollars annually in the US but our new test can significantly help in reducing these costs whilst at the same time offering better quality of life to the ageing population," said Dr Towler.
Dr Towler and Crescent Diagnostics are currently working with pharmaceutical companies to exploit this new test to monitor drug and treatment protocols.
Recently Towler and his colleagues including Niamh Rushe were shortlisted for the UK's Medical Futures Innovation Awards which recognise and encourage innovation in all parts of the healthcare industry including the NHS, academia and private sector. http://www. limerick. com (http://www. limerick. com).
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