Postmenopausal women are 35% more likely to suffer a hip fracture if they take proton pump inhibitors, and the figure increases to 50% if they also are current or former smokers, according to a study.
PPIs are one of the most common medicines used worldwide and are often used to treat heartburn and acid reflex, according to background information in the study, which appeared Jan. 31 on the website of BMJ. PPIs can inhibit the absorption of calcium, however, which leads to the increased risk of fractures.
Authors from the Massachusetts General Hospital looked at the association between PPIs and hip fractures in almost 80,000 post-menopausal women from 2000 to 2008. The researchers suggested that women with a prolonged use of PPIs and who smoke could be up to 50% more likely to suffer hip fractures compared to women who do not smoke or take the drugs.
Several studies have already been carried out in response to the growing concerns between the long-term use of PPIs and the risk of hip fractures, the authors noted, but these studies had significant limitations. In May 2010, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning related to hip fractures and taking PPIs, but concluded that more data was needed for a full analysis.
Several factors including menopausal status, body weight, time spent engaging in physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption and calcium supplement usage were all taken into account in the latest study. Calcium intake from food included in each participant's diet was also analyzed. Low and moderate traumas relating to hip fracture (such as falling on ice or falling off a chair) were recorded, whereas high traumas (such as skiing accidents or falling down the stairs) were not included.
Results showed that out of 79,899 post-menopausal women, there were 893 hip fractures over an eight year period, with post-menopausal women at a 35% increased risk. In absolute numbers, the risk of hip fracture among regular users of PPIs was 2.02 events per 1,000 person years, compared with 1.51 events per 1,000 person years among non-users of the drugs.
Women who were also current or former smokers were at an even higher risk by 50%. Correlation was also found between the length of time PPIs were taken and the risk of fractures.
Figures showed that the percentage of women regularly using a PPI rose from 6.7 in 2000 to 18.9 in 2008, an increase that poses a higher risk of fractures associated with PPIs in the coming years. The FDA thus might wish to revise labeling on these drugs, according to the authors, who also stressed the importance of evaluating the need for long-term use of PPIs among those with a history of smoking.
Finally, they noted that the risk of hip fracture returned to a normal level two years after patients stopped taking PPIs.
To read the study, visit http://bit.ly/xNeFjv.
PPIs are one of the most common medicines used worldwide and are often used to treat heartburn and acid reflex, according to background information in the study, which appeared Jan. 31 on the website of BMJ. PPIs can inhibit the absorption of calcium, however, which leads to the increased risk of fractures.
Authors from the Massachusetts General Hospital looked at the association between PPIs and hip fractures in almost 80,000 post-menopausal women from 2000 to 2008. The researchers suggested that women with a prolonged use of PPIs and who smoke could be up to 50% more likely to suffer hip fractures compared to women who do not smoke or take the drugs.
Several studies have already been carried out in response to the growing concerns between the long-term use of PPIs and the risk of hip fractures, the authors noted, but these studies had significant limitations. In May 2010, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning related to hip fractures and taking PPIs, but concluded that more data was needed for a full analysis.
Several factors including menopausal status, body weight, time spent engaging in physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption and calcium supplement usage were all taken into account in the latest study. Calcium intake from food included in each participant's diet was also analyzed. Low and moderate traumas relating to hip fracture (such as falling on ice or falling off a chair) were recorded, whereas high traumas (such as skiing accidents or falling down the stairs) were not included.
Results showed that out of 79,899 post-menopausal women, there were 893 hip fractures over an eight year period, with post-menopausal women at a 35% increased risk. In absolute numbers, the risk of hip fracture among regular users of PPIs was 2.02 events per 1,000 person years, compared with 1.51 events per 1,000 person years among non-users of the drugs.
Women who were also current or former smokers were at an even higher risk by 50%. Correlation was also found between the length of time PPIs were taken and the risk of fractures.
Figures showed that the percentage of women regularly using a PPI rose from 6.7 in 2000 to 18.9 in 2008, an increase that poses a higher risk of fractures associated with PPIs in the coming years. The FDA thus might wish to revise labeling on these drugs, according to the authors, who also stressed the importance of evaluating the need for long-term use of PPIs among those with a history of smoking.
Finally, they noted that the risk of hip fracture returned to a normal level two years after patients stopped taking PPIs.
To read the study, visit http://bit.ly/xNeFjv.
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