Heather_2
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 Posted: 12/28/06 - 00:09 Post subject: Fracture Risk Linked to Anti-heartburn Drugs |
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Researchers found yesterday that the long-term use of anti-heartburn drugs that save millions of people from annoying acid-related stomach problems and symptoms increase the risk of hip fractures in the elderly.
This particular class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) prevent stomach acid production and could be inhibiting calcium absorption, increasing the risk of hip fractures that way.
The study that included around 150,000 older Britons that underwent anti-heartburn drug therapy had a 44% greater risk of hip fractures than those who were not taking the drugs. It has been determined that a year long treatment with these anti-heartburn drugs increased the hip fracture incidence by adding an additional hip fracture annually per every 1,262 people.
Of course, the longer the treatment and the bigger the dosage, the more increased risk.
This is why the researchers asked for additional research to identify under which circumstances and under which mechanisms the risks increased.
Previous researches have indicated that the PPI drugs may be reducing the body's ability to absorb calcium and decreasing bone density in some patients.
Until more is found, physicians need to be aware of the potential association when considering PPI therapy and possible consider prescribing calcium supplements along the PPI treatment.
Other doctors didn’t think there the change was needed in prescribing PPI treatment at least not until further researches have been done. |
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