Physicians

Vice-chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Medicine and Director of the Departmental Site Based Research Unit

Department / Division
Medicine / Medicine - Geriatrics

Address
DUMC 3881
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone
919-620-5300

Office Telephone
919-660-7520

Fax Telephone
919-684-8569

Training

• MD, Medical College of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine), 1974

Residency

• Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, 1974-1977

Fellowship

• Endocrinology Metabolism, Duke University Medical Center, 1977-1979
• Geriatrics, VA Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center, 1979-1981

Clinical Interests
Metabolic bone disease (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget's disease), tumoral calcinosis, parathyroid disease, other diseases of bone and mineral metabolism

Research Interests
My research activities focus on understanding ways that osteoporotic fractures affect people and trying to learn ways to reduce their impact on affected individuals and prevent further fractures. I have worked with patient with hip and vertebral fractures, gaining insight into the impairments such fractures cause. Also we have learned that a hip fracture is a major risk factor for subsequent fractures after the initial hip fracture. Our group completed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial that we designed with Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation showing, that an annual infusion of a 5mg of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid reduced subsequent fractures after a surgical procedure for a hip fracture by 35% when compared to a place infusion (New England Journal of Medicine, 11-1-07). In this study we also observed a 28% reduction in death in the zoledronic acid treated patients. Other research groups have shown that oral bisphosphonates also reduce mortality in patients with osteoporosis. Currently, we, with a number of collaborators, are conducting both animal and human studies to better understand this beneficial effect upon mortality.

In other work, our group tries to understand how other diseases such as strokes and spinal cord injury, and medications such as anticonvulsants place patients at risk for fractures. As we understand the epidemiology of these types of fractures, we plan to develop intervention trials to test whether we can reduce the occurrence of these fractures.

In addition to the above described work our group has help design and conduct a number of phase 1,2 and 3 clinical trials in Paget's disease of Bone and osteoporosis.


KEY WORDS:
Oteoporosis
Hip and vertebra fractures
Paget's disease of bone
Mobility impairments from metabolic bone diseases
Bisphosphonates

Industry Relationships and Collaborations (What's this?)

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

• Amgen, Inc.
• BisCardia, Inc
• Facutly Connection, LLC
• Novartis
• UCB Pharma