Diabetic drugs related to increased risk of fractures- by over two-fold

According to a new article the insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinediones, a new class of diabetic medication, is associated with an increased risk of fractures. Two medications that fall in this category, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, accounts for over 20% of prescribed diabetic oral medication in the US and over 5% in Europe.

After adjusting for other risk factors, individuals who were currently taking rosiglitazone and pioglitazone had approximately double or triple the odds of hip and other non-spine fractures than those who did not take these drugs.

These are some huge findings- double or triple.  This is strong evidence of a possible association between long-term use of thiazolidinediones and fractures, particularly of the hip and wrist. There was no such effect for other anti-diabetic drugs in this study population.

To see other ortho type information check out Marijke at Help My Hurt. She is holding an orthopedic week on her pain management site.

via Science Daily