Gambian bone and muscle ageing study

Gambian Bone and Muscle Ageing Study (GamBAS): a longitudinal observational study in men and women in rural Gambia

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN17900679

Enrollment

480

Registered

2019-06-17

Start date

2011-10-17

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-09-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Musculoskeletal health Musculoskeletal Diseases

Interventions

Measurements are made at baseline and follow-up every 1.5-2 years. Methods include bone imaging (DXA and pQCT), muscle strength (jumping mechanography, grip strength), anthropometry, blood and urine

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Men and women aged 40 years and above 2. Able to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Pregnant or lactating women 2. Individuals deemed too physically frail or incapable, due to existing disability or chronic illness to attend for measurements

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Bone mineral content (BMC) is measured using DXA measurements at baseline and follow-ups. 2. Areal bone mineral density (BMD) is measured using DXA at baseline and follow-ups. 3. Bone area is measured using DXA at baseline and follow-ups. 4. BMC is measured using peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT) at baseline and follow-ups. 5. Volumetric BMD is measured using pQCT at baseline and follow-ups.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Bone shape and size by DXA and pQCT. 2. Muscle force/ strength Hand dynamometry for grip force: muscle force/ strength 3. Lateral vertebral assessment using DXA at baseline and follow-ups. 4. Regional and total fat and lean mass are measured using DXA at baseline and follow-ups. 5. Muscle ‘density’ and area are measured using pQCT at baseline and follow-ups. 6. Height (standing and sitting), demi-span and other limb dimensions, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and 4 skinfolds are measured at baseline and follow-ups. 7. Standing, sitting and lying blood pressure is measured at baseline and follow-ups. 8. Fasting blood, 2-h fasting urine, 24-h urine: including for markers of calcium, phosphate and vitamin D metabolism, bone metabolism, liver and kidney function, clinical chemistry, sex hormones are measured at baseline and follow-ups. 9. Dietary assessment is conducted at baseline and follow-ups.	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Bone shape and size by DXA and pQCT. 2. Muscle force/ strength Hand dynamometry for grip force: muscle force/ strength 3. Lateral vertebral assessment using DXA at baseline and follow-ups. 4. Regional and total fat and lean mass are measured using DXA at baseline and follow-ups. 5. Muscle ‘density’ and area are measured using pQCT at baseline and follow-ups. 6. Height (standing and sitting), demi-span and other limb dimensions, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and 4 skinfolds are measured at baseline and follow-ups. 7. Standing, sitting and lying blood pressure is measured at baseline and follow-ups. 8. Fasting blood, 2-h fasting urine, 24-h urine: including for markers of calcium, phosphate and vitamin D metabolism, bone metabolism, liver and kidney function, clinical chemistry, sex hormones are measured at baseline and follow-ups. 9. Dietary assessment is conducted at baseline and follow-ups.

—

Countries

Gambia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026