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Statin use, bone mineral density, and fracture risk: Geelong Osteoporosis Study

journal contribution
posted on 2002-03-11, 00:00 authored by Julie PascoJulie Pasco, Mark KotowiczMark Kotowicz, Margaret Rogers, K Sanders, G Nicholson
Background Recent data suggest that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) decrease fracture risk and increase bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods This cross-sectional study is set in southeastern Australia. We evaluated the association between statin use, fracture risk, and BMD in 1375 women (573 with incident fractures and 802 without incident fracture, all drawn from the same community). Fractures were identified radiologically. Medication use and lifestyle factors were documented by questionnaire.

Results Unadjusted odds ratio for fracture associated with statin use was 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.71). Adjusting for BMD at the femoral neck, spine, and whole body increased the odds ratio to 0.45 (95% CI, 0.25-0.80), 0.42 (95% CI, 0.24-0.75), and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.24-0.78), respectively. Adjusting for age, weight, concurrent medications, and lifestyle factors had no substantial effect on the odds ratio for fracture. Statin use was associated with a 3% greater adjusted BMD at the femoral neck (P = .08), and BMD tended to be greater at the spine and whole body but did not achieve statistical significance.

Conclusion The substantial 60% reduction in fracture risk associated with statin use is greater than would be expected from increases in BMD alone.

History

Journal

Archives of internal medicine

Volume

162

Issue

5

Pagination

537 - 540

Publisher

American Medical Association

Location

Chicago, Ill.

ISSN

0003-9926

eISSN

1538-3679

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2002, American Medical Association