About the MrOS Study

MrOS, a research study funded by the National Institutes of Health, began in 2000. Six clinical centers in the United States, located in Birmingham, AL; Minneapolis, MN; Palo Alto, CA; the Monogohela Valley near Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; and San Diego, CA recruited 5,994 men at the baseline visit (2000 -2002). The baseline examination included the assessment of risk factors for fractures and other conditions, including neuromuscular, visual and cognitive function tests; bone mineral density (BMD); x-rays of the spine; QCT scans of the hip and spine and the collection of biospecimens. Three subsequent exams have added a variety of additional measurements, including serial measures of DXA, specimens, neuromuscular, cognitive function, mobility, objective assessment of physical activity levels and HRpQCT scans of the radius and tibia. Ancillary visits have also included two dental visits that included oral health assessments (in Birmingham and Portland) and two sleep visits which assessed sleep using subjective and objective tests. Participants have been contacted 3 times a year since the baseline visit via mailed questionnaire for ascertainment of falls, fractures, death and cardiovascular events (in the MrOS Sleep Study only). An extensive bank of data, images (x-rays, DXA scans, QCT scans, HRpQCT scans) and specimens have been archived as part of the MrOS study.

Please see the MrOS Measurements document for more details about what measures were collected in MrOS and when: MrOS Measurements.