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Pauline Beery Mack Project

TWU Researchers Search for Participants to 20-year Follow-up of Bone Density Evaluation

Dr. Pauline Beery Mack (1891-1974) served as the first dean of the College of Household Arts and Sciences and later as director of the Texas Woman’s University Research Institute (1962-1973). In the late 1940s, Dr. Mack and colleagues initiated a study of multiple health parameters including radiographic measures of pharyngeal bone density and nutrient intake in approximately 4,000 individuals between the ages of 2 and 72. These parameters were re-evaluated in 353 of these individuals in the 1970s, constituting a 20-year follow-up.

The first phase of the current study consists of computer entry and re-analysis of existing baseline and follow-up data of the 353 members of the 20-year cohort, including radiographic absorptiometry of the phalanges. The second phase consists of locating as many individuals from the 20-year cohort as possible. In phase 3, members of the 20-year cohort will be re-evaluated with bone density measurements of the spine, proximal femur, radius, and phalanges as well as analysis of nutrient intake. The final phase will be analysis of the 50-year follow-up to determine: (1) longitudinal changes in pharyngeal bone density; and (2) utility of pharyngeal bone density in fracture prediction.

Dr. Nancy DiMarco serves as PI for the Pauline Beery Mack study. Contact Dr. DiMarco for further information.