Chemical Pathology

Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group

FOCUS

The aim of the group is to perform research through multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches on the following areas relevant to metabolic bone diseases with the objectives to identify a group of individuals with special interest in this area and support their activities (clinical/educational/research). Emphasize the need and promote research in bone and mineral disorders in Pakistan through partnership with funding bodies.

  • Prevalence and epidemiology of the diseases

  • Population surveillance and cohorts for studying life style, vitamin D and osteoporosis risk at consolidated field sites (rural and urban)

  • Pathophysiology: determinants of diseases including genetic determinants

  • Tool development for risk assessment

  • Molecular Characterization

  • Novel, prognostic & predictive markers of bone turnover/remodelling

  • Effectiveness trials (usually RCTs) for health system interventions

  • Clinical Audit and Evidence-based Cost-effective practice promotion

  • Systematic Reviews and Evidence synthesis for policy

  • Registries for specialized diseased areas

RESEARCHERS

  • Dr Aysha Habib Khan

  • Dr Romaina Iqbal

  • Dr Lena Jafri

  • Dr Tariq Moatter

  • Dr Farooq Ghani

  • Dr Imran Siddiqui

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Evaluation of bone health in Pakistani children with beta Thalasemia major.

  • Funded by URC (2013-2015)

  • Efficacy of 25 (OH) vitamin D supplementation and physical activity in improving musculoskeletal health in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
    Funded by URC (2012-2014).

  • Determination of effective vitamin D replacement and monitoring strategies in vitamin D deficient state (EVIREST).
    Funded by URC ( 2012-2014).

FUTURE PROJECTS  

  • Risk assessment of genetic, life style and environmental interactions affecting vitamin D levels: A population based study.
    Submitted to HEC 2014.

OVERSEAS COLLABORATORS/PARTNERS

  • Professor Howard Morris, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia.

  • Dr. Naveed Zafar Janjua, Assistant Professor,  British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and at School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

INTERNAL COLLABORATORS/PARTNERS

  • Dr Bushra Moiz, Associate Professor & Section head, Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology & Microbiology

  • Dr Qamar Masood, Assistant professor, Section of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine

  • Dr Waqar Kashif, Associate professor & Section Head, Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine

  • Dr Riffat Hussain and Dr Masseh uz Zaman, Associate Professors, Section of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology

FOR FUNDING, COLLABORATION AND QUERIES, CONTACT:

Dr Aysha Habib Khan

Head, Chemical Pathology
Consultant Chemical Pathologist

PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROJECTS

  • Polymorphism of CaSR gene and its association in subjects with vitamin D deficiency.
    Funded by Seed Money Grant (AKU)

  • To determine the validity of bone turnover markers in patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia presenting at a metabolic bone clinic
    Funded by Seed Money Grant (AKU)

  • To assess the effect of dietary calcium intake and vitamin D status on bone turnover markers in Pakistani adult females.
    Funded by Pakistan Science Foundation, (2010-2011).

  • Determination of calcium absorption from intestine at various Vitamin D levels using strontium as the surrogate marker.
    Funded by Higher Education Commission (2009-2010).

  • Genotype phenotype correlation and characterization of mutation in 21-hydroxylase gene in patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.
    Funded by URC (2003-2007).

  • Fibroblast growth factor 23 levels in healthy volunteers and correlation with serum phosphate and tubular maximum for phosphate reabsorption.
    Funded by Seed Money Grant  (2009).

  • Assessment of bone turnover and its association with vitamin D blood levels in adult females.
    Funded by Seed Money Grant and URC (2007-2010).

  • Vitamin D status in a population of healthy adults-A.
    Funded by URC (2005-2007).