The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Skeletal Rare Disease Academy has recognized research excellence in the field by presenting Awards to young researchers who have submitted outstanding abstracts to the virtual 2021 World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. 

The presenting authors of the four top ranked abstracts investigating rare skeletal diseases have been awarded a certificate and grant in the value of 1000 USD each. IOF Skeletal Rare Diseases Academy Case Report Bursaries, endowed with 500 USD each, were awarded to two further young investigators. The awards were presented by Professor Nicholas Harvey, Chair of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors and Co-Chair of the IOF SRD Academy.

Winners of the IOF Skeletal Rare Diseases Academy Grants

• E. Tsiantouli, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
  Prevalence of Hypophosphatasia and Low Serum Alkaline Phosphatase in Adults with Atypical Femur Fractures (abstract P470)
• M. P. Paoletta, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy 
  Role of the Endovanilloid/Endocannabinoid System in the Modulation of Osteoclast Activity in Individuals with Paget's Disease of Bone (abstract P165)
• A. Palermo, Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
  Effectiveness of Calcium Citrate in Comparison with Calcium Carbonate for the Management of Chronic Hypoparathyroidism (abstract P748)
• G. Palmini, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Establishment of a Human Primary Cell Line from Ectopic Calcification from a Patient with Tumoral Calcinosis with a New Galnt3 Mutation to Study Mineralization and the Presence of Stem Cells Inside the Lesion (abstract P677)

Winners of the IOF Skeletal Rare Diseases Academy Case Report Bursaries

• O.O. Golounina, M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
  Recurrent Focal Epilepsy Seizures and Basal Ganglia Calcification as the Manifestation of Pseudohypoparathyroidism (abstract P762)
• Z. Abilov, Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russia
  Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia: Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Challenges (abstract P602)

Professor Harvey stated:

“We warmly congratulate the investigators who have authored this year’s winning abstracts which provide insights into the genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of rare skeletal disorders. The Awards represent a key aim of the IOF Skeletal Rare Disease Academy, to encourage young investigators to pursue research in the field, in the expectation that this will lead to future advances in patient care.”

Skeletal Rare Diseases are a key topic of the WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2021. Prior to the Awards presentation, a special Educational Session hosted by the IOF Skeletal Disease Academy featured case discussions on McCune Albright Syndrome and Tumour-Induced Osteomalacia. In addition, the Congress hosts a Non-Sponsored Symposium: State of the Art in Hypophosphatasia Diagnosis in Adults and Children. 

Registrants to the virtual WCO-IOF-ESCEO Congress have access to the complete scientific programme, including all Symposia and Educational Sessions, for another three months after the Congress. 

Abstracts presented at the WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2021 will be published in Osteoporosis International and are available at http://virtual.wco-iof-esceo.org/.    

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About the IOF Skeletal Rare Diseases (SRD) Academy
The International Osteoporosis Foundation’s (IOF) Skeletal Rare Diseases Academy is comprised of leading experts in the field whose mission is to advance and disseminate much needed knowledge in the field, and communicate the importance of diagnosis, management and support for rare diseases. Areas of activity will include publications in scientific journals, developing  educational programmes and training courses, and providing practical informational resources for patients and healthcare professionals. In addition, the Academy will present awards to recognize and promote research excellence and the work of young scientists in the field.
The IOF SRD Academy and the Awards are financially supported by Kyowa Kirin, which has no input into the review committee, abstract selection or awards. 

About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including committees of scientific researchers as well as 268 patient, medical and research societies, work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a worldwide heath care priority. https://www.osteoporosis.foundation @iofbonehealth