Current state
Past Initiatives from Bone Health Researchers and Clinicians at SickKids
- Identification of causative genes for numerous disorders and syndromes involving bone health including identifying a genetic cause for juvenile osteoporosis
- Development of techniques for clinical trials in rare conditions and lead centre for international clinical trials in paediatric bone disorders
- Development of novel treatment modalities to improve outcomes and avoid the need for surgery in disorders effecting bone health
- Largest paediatric orthopaedic clinical fellowship training program in the world and one of the world’s largest paediatric endocrinology training programs.
- Internationally recognized basic scientists in bone biology at the University of Toronto and its affiliated hospitals
- Internationally recognized clinicians and researchers in adult osteoporosis at the University of Toronto and its affiliated hospitals
- Ongoing research programs at SickKids studying osteoporosis and its effects on bone health in genetically modified mice
- Established bone health and genetic clinics (involving endocrinologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and geneticists) at SickKids
Therefore, SickKids is uniquely positioned to resolve the identified gaps in bone health by building on our expertise in metabolic regulation of bone, clinical genetics, genetics research, endocrine research and developmental biology of the musculoskeletal system. This will be accomplished through the initiatives of the Bone Health Centre, whose primary purpose is to plan, conduct, foster and support an integrated and coordinated approach in managing bone health disease. The members of the Bone Health Center will drive innovation in bone health and improve outcomes for children with musculoskeletal conditions.
Activities of the Integrated Bone Health Centre
Clinical
The multidisclinary Bone Health Clinic was established in the Fall of 2008 to create an integrated clinic where patients have access to clinicians across the broad spectrum of care. The Divisions of Endocrinology, Orthopaedic Surgery and Clinical Genetics are central in running the clinic. Clinicians in other specialties participate on a periodic basis for the management of specific subsets of patients.
The patients who are seen in the Bone Health Clinic are those affected with a wide variety of skeletal disorders or syndromes such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, metabolic bone disorders, as well as children with other medical conditions causing a secondary bone health problems (e.g. children with neuromuscular disorders). Many of these disorders have genetic causes or are thought to have genetic causes.
Research
SickKids houses the world's largest research program, within a single institution, aimed at improving care for children with musculoskeletal disorders. Research work in bone health ranges from genetic and cellular work to clinical epidemiology. Our Centre aims to develop new areas of research, crossing the interdisciplinary research expertise of its members. We have already initiated a Bone Health Clinical-Genetic Database to help us better understand the causes of complex genetic diseases; started using developmental biology approaches to identify pathways which can be therapeutically targeted to improve bone health, and set up a clinical trial of new treatment approach.
Education
The Centre is committed to training the next generation of interdisciplinary clinicians and scientists to facilitate information exchange between the research community, clinicians, public and community groups, health governance and policy makers to ensure its success. Monthly meetings are set to discuss clinical cases and research opportunities which will lead to new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Profile BHC member
Dr. Sochett has extensive experience of the debilitating affect on bone health in patients referred for evaluation to the Endocrine clinic from many subspecialty services. This caused him to advocate for and be instrumental in establishing the Bone Health Clinic at SickKids in 2004. As the breadth and depth of the problem emerged, he worked closely with Dr Ben Alman, Head of Orthopaedics, to establish the Bone Health Centre so as to provide a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach to clinical care and leading edge research.