Musculoskeletal aging in the Geneva Retirees Cohort

ISRCTN ISRCTN11865958
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11865958
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
13/07/2016
Registration date
21/07/2016
Last edited
05/08/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Musculoskeletal aging, leading to osteoporosis (a health condition where the bone becomes brittle and fragile) and sarcopenia (a condition where muscle loses its mass – so it shrinks – and strength) , results in falls and fractures that largely contribute to mortality (disease and ill-health) and loss of quality of life in the elderly. In order to provide a more complete understanding of bone and muscle aging and a rationale for targeted interventions (treatments) to prevent falls and osteoporotic (bone)fractures, this study aims at identifying the intrinsic and extrinsic determinants of musculo-skeletal aging, and their contribution to quality of life.

Who can participate?
1036 retired community-dwelling healthy volunteers (men and women) from the Geneva area, at the age of 63-67 (Geneva Retirees Cohort (GERICO)).

What does the study involve?
Each participant in the study attends a study visit every three years to assess their current state of bone and muscle health. These are determined by measuring bone mineral density (measuring the amount of minerals in the bone) and the architecture of the bone (structure), muscle mass, how the muscles function and physical performance. Medical conditions are also noted, as are the number of fractures and falls, the participants nutrient intake and how physically active they are.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participant will benefit from a comprehensive assessment of their bone and muscle health. No specific risk is expected.

Where is the study run from?
Service of Bone diseases, University Hospitals of Geneva (Switzerland)

When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2008 to December 2018

Who is funding the study?
Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine Clinical Research Centre (Switzerland)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Emmanuel Biver

Contact information

Dr Emmanuel Biver
Public

Division of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine
4 Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil
Geneva 14
1211
Switzerland

Study information

Study designProspective single-center observational cohort study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designLongitudinal study
Study setting(s)Community
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleMusculoskeletal aging in the Geneva Retirees Cohort (GERICO): a prospective analysis of its determinants and contribution to fractures and quality of life
Study acronymGERICO (Geneva Retirees Cohort)
Study hypothesisPredictors of falls and fractures, two major outcomes of osteoporosis and sarcopenia contributing to age-related disabilities and quality of life alterations, would be identifiable at time of retirement.
Ethics approval(s)1. Central Ethics Committee on Research on human beings of Geneva University Hospitals, 17/08/2008, ref: 08-036 (Psy 08-007)
2. Central Ethics Committee on Research on human beings of Geneva University Hospitals, 04/05/2012, ref: 11-256 (Psy 11-031)
3. Geneva Cantonal Committee of Research Ethics, 08/07/2015, ref: CER 15-133
ConditionMusculoskeletal diseases
InterventionThe Geneva Retirees Cohort (GERICO) is a prospective observational cohort study of community-dwelling women and men recruited between 2008 and 2011 at the age of 65±1.4 yrs and followed longitudinally every 3 years after their first visit to assess the determinants of bone and muscle health alterations with aging. A second visit (follow-up 1) was initiated in 2012 and completed in 2014, and a third visit (follow-up 2) is undergoing since August 2015 until 2018.

Participants are assessed at each visit for:
1. Medical conditions, fractures and falls history, nutrition, physical activity.
2. Bone mineral density and micro-architecture
3. Muscle mass and function and physical performance (from second visit)
4. Blood tests
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureIncident fractures, assessed by face-to-face or and auto-administered questionnaires (clinical fractures) and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) by DXA (morphometric vertebral fractures) at follow-up 1 (after 3 years) and 2 (after 6 years). Written confirmation (eg, discharge summary, radiologist report) will be requested.
Secondary outcome measures1. Bone phenotype at baseline, follow-up 1 (after 3 years) and 2 (after 6 years)
1.1. Bone mineral density using DXA (lumbar spine, hip, radius)
1.2. Bone microstructure and strength using high resolution peripheral computerized tomography (HR-pQCT) at distal radius and tibia
2. Muscle phenotype at follow-up 1 and 2
2.1. Muscle mass and appendicular lean mass adjusted for height mass (kg/m2) using DXA.
2.2. Muscle function and physical performance
3. Falls in the past years of follow-up 1 and 2
4. Genotyping at baseline using exome chip
5. Biochemical measurements of bone and mineral metabolism at baseline, follow-up 1 and 2.
6. Nutrition (calcium and protein intakes) using a food frequency questionnaire at baseline, follow-up 1 and 2
7. Physical activity using a face-to-face administered questionnaire at baseline, follow-up 1 and 2
8. Ten-year fracture probability using FRAX tool at baseline, follow-up 1 and 2
9. Assessment of quality of life using auto-administered questionnaires at follow-up 2
Overall study start date12/02/2008
Overall study end date31/12/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupSenior
Lower age limit63 Years
Upper age limit67 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants1036
Total final enrolment853
Participant inclusion criteria1. Recently retired workers from the Geneva area
2. Both genders
3. Age 63 to 67 years
4. Rural and urban communities
Participant exclusion criteria1. History of cancer treated in the past 5 years
2. Chronic renal failure
3. Chronic liver or lung disease
4. Current corticosteroid therapy
5. Primary hyperparathyroidism
6. Paget disease of bone
7. Malabsorption
8. Any neurological or musculoskeletal condition affecting skeletal health
Recruitment start date22/07/2008
Recruitment end date15/10/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Switzerland

Study participating centre

Service of Bone Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine Specialties, Geneva University Hospital
4 Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil
Geneva 14
1211
Switzerland

Sponsor information

Division of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine
Hospital/treatment centre

4, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil
Geneva 14
1211
Switzerland

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01m1pv723

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine Clinical Research Centre

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2019
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planThe trialists intend to present preliminary study results at scientific conferences during the course of the study and plan publications in high-impact peer reviewed journals around one year after the end of follow-up.
IPD sharing planNot provided at time of registration

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 01/09/2013 Yes No
Results article 01/08/2015 Yes No
Results article 01/11/2016 Yes No
Results article 01/02/2017 Yes No
Results article 01/02/2018 Yes No
Results article 01/08/2018 Yes No
Results article 01/10/2020 20/07/2020 Yes No
Other publications Development of a personalized fall rate prediction model 30/03/2023 31/03/2023 Yes No
Results article 21/03/2022 05/08/2024 Yes No

Editorial Notes

05/08/2024: Publication reference added.
31/03/2023: Publication reference added.
20/07/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
08/05/2018: Publication reference added.
20/10/2017: Publication reference added.
02/10/2017: Publication reference added.