more...
This year's studies
About you

The Chingford Study party

The Study team organised a party in 1999, to celebrate 10 years of research. It was held to thank you for all the time you have given us and also to celebrate the fact that there were so many of you still on the Study with us. In fact it was a fantastic 84% and that was worth celebrating, especially when the study was gaining in reputation.

This very successful event took place at Walthamstow Town Hall on Wednesday, 21st April 1999, thanks mainly to the hard work of Maxine Daniels and Camille Cronin, who organised the venue, catering and prize donations. Financial support for the event was greatly appreciated from our six major sponsors: Merck, Sharpe & Dohme Ltd; Proctor & Gamble Pharmaceuticals; Novartis Pharmaceuticals; Eli Lily & Co Ltd; Novo Nordisk; Organon Laboratories Ltd.

There was a great turn-out on the day of about 400 people and the afternoon was enjoyed by those attending and the organisers, alike. It was great to see so many of you together and to have the opportunity to thank you, as a group, for your continuing support.

The team was also grateful to all those from the Chingford Osteoporosis Unit and the twin Research Unit at St Thomas' Hospital who offered their services and made the afternoon run so smoothly.



There were a large number of poster displays that made interesting reading. These included:

• the history of the Study, from its early days in a Portacabin to the present day, with lots of interesting photographs

• risk factors associated with osteoporosis - what they are and how they can be reduced

• advice on keeping fit and eating well

• HRT use and breast awareness

• genetics and predisposition to development of osteoporosis

• bone loss in post-menopausal women

• statistics from the Study, including body measurements and medical history

• a map showing current locations of women on the Study

Also on display were a selection of the large number of papers that have been written by Dr Spector, Dr Doyle and Dr Hart, following analysis of information collected throughout the Study. One paper investigated the link between a gene (the vitamin D receptor gene) and increased risk of knee OA. Another paper discussed the presence of an inflammation marker (C-reactive protein) in women with early knee OA, and its use as a diagnostic tool in predicting whether the disease would progress. Other work concluded that 3% of women on the Study develop knee OA per year as shown by thinning of cartilage and by production of bony spurs around the knee known as osteophytes. Obesity and aging are associated with a high risk of knee OA development and weight loss will prevent OA from getting worse. HRT can help protect against developing OA, and may prevent those with existing OA from getting more severe disease, as can keeping fit and wearing well-fitting shoes.

All those directly involved in the Chingford Study from Chingford and St Thomas', were present at the party and on hand to answer your questions about the Study and aspects of osteoporosis.

Representatives from the Arthritis Research Council and the National Osteoporosis Society had stands at the Party and gave out leaflets and information.

The Chairman of Forest Healthcare NHS Trust, Mr Clive Myers, gave an opening address and praised the work of the team and the unending support of the Chingford ladies.

Dr David Doyle spoke about the development of the Study and its importance in the growth and success of the Chingford Outpatients Clinic.

Dr Deborah Hart gave us an insight into the valuable achievements that have been made possible by the analysis of the information collected throughout the years of the Study.

Dr Tim Spector gave an amusing talk about the 'average Chingford woman', apparently, a right-handed 63 year old, 5 foot 3 inch, 10 stone 12 pound woman with 2 children. She's put on 2 stone since the age of 20 and is increasing her weight by half a pound a year. She's lost 5 teeth, takes one and a half tablets a day, has a high cholesterol level, has a 1 in 2 chance of having had a fracture, and falls over badly every 4 years. She claims to have given up smoking and drinks only 5 glasses of alcohol per week. She walks two and a half miles per week but is too busy to do any sport. The average Chingford woman thinks her memory has got worse over 10 years but can't really remember. She's also a very nice woman who generously gives up her time to aid research! 

A prize draw was carried out, made possible by the many generous donations of several individuals and local businesses. We all enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea before the party ended.