Postmenopausal women who regularly use proton pump inhibitors are at increased risk of suffering hip fractures, a large US study suggests.
Data on almost 80,000 women showed those who regularly used PPIs over at least two years were 35% more likely to suffer hip fractures than non-users, over an eight-year period.
This risk increased to more than 50% if they were also current or former smokers, found the study, published Wednesday in the BMJ.
The risk of hip fracture increased with longer duration of PPI use. However, the effect disappeared within two years of discontinuing PPIs.
The authors suggested PPIs could increase fracture risk by reducing gastric acid secretion, thereby impairing absorption of calcium. Smoking had also been shown to inhibit calcium absorption, they...
This site is intended for Registered Medical Practitioners.
To make the most of Gastroenterology Update, you need to be logged in.