Clinical Science

The clinical research group focuses on epidemiological and clinical questions in osteoporosis, secondary osteoporosis, rare bone diseases and rheumatology.

Diagnosis and treatment of bone diseases have been the focus of the 1st med. department of the Hanusch hospital and the Ludwig Boltzmann-Institute of Osteology (LBIO) for many years. The clinical research team consists of specialist for rheumatology, endocrinology and internal medicine. Clinical projects are conducted in national and international cooperations with specialists from other departments including radiology, genetics, laboratory medicine and physical medicine. Our clinical research concentrates on postmenopausal, male and secondary osteoporosis (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatologic disorders,…).

The comprehensive offer of radiologic tools (DXA, X-ray, CT, MRT, Scintigraphy, qCT, HSA („hip structure analysis“) and TBS (“trabecular bone score“) as well as serological methods (Bone turnover markers, FGF-23, Tryptase) allows diagnosis of bone diseases at a high-level. Moreover, new diagnostic tools, such as the TX-analyzer for non-invasive bone texture analysis, are evaluated (cooperation with imagebiopsylab). MircoRNAs (miRNAs), which play a pivotal role in bone metabolism, are investigated in different cohorts. Recent projects deal with the feasibility of miRNAs for the follow-up of osteoporosis, treatment monitoring and their role in psoriatic arthritis as well as hypophosphatasia (HPP) (cooperation with TAMiRNA).

Transiliac bone biopsies are used for complex cases in clinical routine, but are also part of the LBIO research. Biopsies are conducted by PL3, analyses are performed by PL1 & PL2.

In 2021 the clinical science group and the material science group got certified as the first cooperation research center in Austria by the DVO (Dachverband für Osteologie) in association with the specialized clinical “Osteology focus Center” at the Hanusch hospital.

Prevalent fractures are known as the major risk factor for further fracture risk. Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is a systemic approach for secondary prevention of osteoporosis patients. We have already established a FLS at the Hanusch hospital Vienna and are acknowledged by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

Future concepts of FLS include the evaluation of efficacy as well as the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) for vertebral fracture screening.

The LBIO is part of the Vienna Bone and Growth Center (VBGC). Our center of expertise for rare disorders of bone, mineralization, and growth was designated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection and the European Unit (European reference networks (ERNs)). The VBGC is a collaboration of three clinical centers and one research institute in Vienna. The multidisciplinary approach ensures concentrated care of children and adults with rare bone diseases. Moreover, the ERN network is a perfect platform for teaching, clinical and basic research.