This study aims to explore the interrelationships between skeletal health and hematological profiles using the UK Biobank’s extensive dataset. Key research questions include: (1) What are the associations between skeletal health indicators, such as bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk, and hematological profiles, including complete blood count (CBC) and differential cell counts, anemia types (e.g., iron deficiency, megaloblastic anemia), and hematologic disorders such as leukemia and clonal hematopoiesis? (2) How do metabolic bone disorders interact with hematological parameters? (3) What demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors influence these relationships? (4) What are the shared genetic determinants that influence both skeletal and hematological health? To address these questions, skeletal health will be assessed using metrics such as BMD, changes in BMD over time, and bone microarchitecture characteristics from imaging. Biochemical markers (e.g., bone turnover markers, serum calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone) and clinical outcomes, including fracture incidence, types, and patterns, will be analyzed. Hematological health will be evaluated through parameters such as CBC, differential cell counts, anemia-related metrics, and longitudinal changes in hematological indices. Genetic data, including whole genome sequencing (WGS) and genome-wide association study (GWAS) results, will be utilized to identify shared genetic loci and pathways influencing both skeletal and hematological health. Anemia and other hematological conditions are known to influence bone health, but the broader interactions between these systems remain underexplored. By leveraging the UK Biobank’s large-scale and longitudinal dataset, this study aims to generate robust, generalizable findings. Identifying key risk factors and mechanisms, ultimately improving outcomes and reducing the societal burden of these interconnected disorders.
