Registry Following Adults with Atypical Femur Fractures in Ontario
Records clinical details of adults with atypical femur fractures, linked to long-term bisphosphonate use.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Atypical Fracture Cohort Study
Key facts
- Where
- Hamilton and Toronto, CanadaSee the 3 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 20 and 100 years old?
Source: NCT01747291, who can take part
Where in Canada
- McMaster UniversityHamilton, CanadaEnrolling by invitation
- St. Michael's HospitalToronto, CanadaEnrolling by invitation
- University Health NetworkToronto, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University Health Network, Toronto
- Trial code
- NCT01747291
- Record updated
- 11 May 2026
- Original description
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by increased bone fragility and deteriorating bone micro-architecture. The main consequence of osteoporosis is low-trauma fractures, most often of the hip, spine and wrist. Recently, another type of low-trauma fracture, atypical femur fractures (AFFs), have received much attention. Little is known of the cause of these debilitating fractures; however, they have been associated with long term bisphosphonate use. What we currently know about AFFs is based on case reports or small case series, or studies using administrative databases or secondary analyses of bisphosphonate trials. While these reports provide some preliminary information on the relationship between long term bisphosphonate exposure and AFFs, detailed clinical data are absent. As we have established a network of specialists across southern Ontario our group is in a position to collect meaningful information on a larger group of patients who have experienced these debilitating fractures into a centralized AFF registry.Read full original descriptionShow less
Atypical Femur Fracture Ontario Cohort Registry
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by increased bone fragility and deteriorating bone micro-architecture. The main consequence of osteoporosis is low-trauma fractures, most often of the hip, spine and wrist. Recently, another type of low-trauma fracture, atypical femur fractures (AFFs), have received much attention. Little is known of the cause of these debilitating fractures; however, they have been associated with long term bisphosphonate use. What we currently know about AFFs is based on case reports or small case series, or studies using administrative databases or secondary analyses of bisphosphonate trials. While these reports provide some preliminary information on the relationship between long term bisphosphonate exposure and AFFs, detailed clinical data are absent. As we have established a network of specialists across southern Ontario our group is in a position to collect meaningful information on a larger group of patients who have experienced these debilitating fractures into a centralized AFF registry.
Inclusion: Patients over the age of 20; Patients who have experienced an incomplete AFF that satisfies the diagnostic criteria as set forth by the American Society of Bone and mineral Research (ASBMR) International Task Force on AFFs or a low (or no) trauma fracture that mimics the features described above at other sites.
Exclusion: Pathological fractures secondary to metastases or metabolic bone diseases other than osteoporosis; Peri-prosthetic fractures; High trauma fractures.