Investigation of the prevalence of non-COVID-19 infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate non-COVID-19-related upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), gastrointestinal infections (GIIs) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients with diagnoses of URTIs, GIIs and UTIs from 994 general practitioners (GP) and 192 paediatric practices that routinely send anonymous data to the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) were investigated. We studied the differences in recorded URTIs, GIIs and UTIs between April 2019-March 2020 (non-pandemic period) and April 2020-March 2021 (pandemic period) in terms of rates and baseline characteristics by comparing absolute frequencies. RESULTS: Compared with the non-pandemic period, the total number of patients with defined diagnoses was lower in the pandemic period (URTIs: 810,324 vs 520,800; GIIs: 253,029 vs 142,037; UTIs: 132,425 vs 117,932). The number of patients per practice with URTIs (683 vs 439, -36%, P < 0.001) and GIIs (213 vs 120, -44%, P < 0.001) decreased significantly during the pandemic period; the decrease in the number of recorded UTIs was smaller (112 vs 99, -11%, P < 0.05). The decrease in diagnoses was more pronounced among paediatricians than GPs (URTIs: -39% vs -35%; GIIs: -57% vs -39%; UTIs: -15% vs -9%). The decrease in URTIs varied between -35% and -40% depending on the age group. CONCLUSIONS: Measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce transmission of the virus also helped to reduce the spread of non-COVID-19-related URTIs and GIIs. UTIs were impacted to a lesser extent, with rates seeing a slight decrease. An increase in awareness of infectious diseases may have also contributed to the reduction in recorded diagnoses.

No increased incidence of venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Germany.

OBJECTIVES: Vaccination is one of the most effective measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The main reason for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination hesitancy is the potential side-effects. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who received SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Individuals aged ≥18 years who received an initial vaccination for COVID-19 in one of 1134 general practices in Germany between April and June 2021 were included in the study. Vaccinated patients were matched to unvaccinated individuals by age, sex, index month (April to June 2020 [unvaccinated cohort] or April to June 2021 [vaccinated cohort]) and diagnoses that may be associated with an increased incidence of thrombosis documented within 12 months before the index date. The incidences of thrombosis and non-fatal pulmonary embolism as a function of COVID-19 vaccination were analysed. RESULTS: The present study included 326,833 individuals who were vaccinated against COVID-19 and 326,833 matched unvaccinated individuals. During the follow-up period, 406 vaccinated patients and 342 individuals in the control group received a diagnosis of thrombosis or non-fatal pulmonary embolism. This resulted in an incidence rate of 11.9 vs 11.3 cases per 1000 patient-years for vaccinated vs unvaccinated individuals, respectively, and a non-significant overall incidence rate ratio (IRR: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.22). The highest IRR was observed in the 41-60 years age group (IRR: 1.30; 95% CI: 0.98-1.73), and the lowest IRR was seen in the 18-40 years age group (IRR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.0-1.05); however, none of the individual age group incidence rates was significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the occurrence of thrombosis or pulmonary embolism after COVID-19 vaccination is a coincidental finding rather than a consequence of vaccination.

Association between COVID-19 and subsequent vascular events in primary care patients in Germany.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 diagnosis and the risk of developing a first-ever vascular event (VE) compared with the same risk in those with respiratory tract infection (RTI). STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: This study using data from Disease Analyzer Database (IQVIA) included patients aged ≥18 years with at least one visit to a German practice during the index period. VEs were defined as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. Two cohorts were created: patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and those diagnosed with RTI. These were matched using propensity scores. Kaplan-Meier curves were created for the purposes of time to event analysis. A Poisson model was used to calculate incidence rates and derive incidence rate ratios (IRRs). RESULTS: A total of 58,904 patients were matched. There was no significant association between COVID-19 diagnosis and increased incidence of VE events among females (IRR [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.96 [0.82-1.11] and 1.30 [0.88-1.81]) or males (IRR, 95% CI: 0.91 [0.78-1.05] and 1.13 [0.80-1.62]). Overall, no significant association between COVID-19 diagnosis and incidence of VE was observed across age categories except for cardiovascular vascular events in the age category ≥70 years (IRR [95% CI]: 0.78 [0.67-0.94]). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study suggests that COVID-19 diagnosis was not associated with an increased risk of developing VE compared with RTI diagnosis. However, further research in a variety of healthcare settings and regions is needed to confirm these preliminary findings from our cohort, which is a good reflection of routine clinical practice in Germany.

Osteoarthritis and the incidence of fracture in the United Kingdom: a retrospective cohort study of 258,696 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze the relationship between osteoarthritis and the incidence of fracture in men and women aged ≥18 years followed in general practices in the United Kingdom. METHODS: This study included patients aged ≥18 years who had received an initial diagnosis of osteoarthritis in one of 256 general practices in the United Kingdom between January 1997 and December 2016 (index date). Patients without osteoarthritis were matched (1:1) to those with osteoarthritis by sex, age, index year, diabetes, dementia, corticosteroid therapy, and practice. For patients without osteoarthritis, the index date was a randomly selected visit date between 1997 and 2016. The association between osteoarthritis and the incidence of fracture was investigated using Kaplan-Meier curves and conditional Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study included 129,348 patients with osteoarthritis and 129,348 patients without osteoarthritis [60.1% women; mean (standard deviation) age 63.7 (14.0) years]. After 10 years of follow-up, 12.1% of individuals with osteoarthritis and 7.7% of those without osteoarthritis had suffered at least one fracture (log-rank P-value<0.001). There was a positive and significant association between osteoarthritis and fracture in the overall sample [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.50-1.60]. These findings were corroborated in all sex, age, and osteoarthritis joint site subgroups. CONCLUSION: Intervention is urgently needed to reduce the risk of fracture in adults with osteoarthritis, and further research is warranted in order to gain more of an insight into the mediators involved in the relationship between osteoarthritis and fracture.

Factors associated with fracture after stroke and TIA: a long-term follow-up.

We assessed the long-term incidence of fractures after stroke and TIA and analyzed associated factors. The fracture incidence increases with age and is higher in stroke than in TIA. Dementia is associated with fractures after both. Our results indicate tailored measures are necessary for preventing fractures after stroke or TIA. INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we aimed to assess the long-term incidence of fractures and analyze associated factors after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). METHODS: The current cohort study included patients who had received an initial ischemic stroke or TIA diagnosis documented anonymously in the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) between 2000 and 2016 by physicians in 1262 general practices in Germany. Univariate Cox and multivariate regression models were carried out. RESULTS: Three groups (stroke, TIA, no stroke/TIA), each with 12,265 individuals, were selected (mean age 67.3 years, 48.1% female). A fracture was diagnosed in 12.9% of stroke patients and in 11.4% of TIA patients. Among male stroke patients, 11.1% had a fracture (15.4% among female stroke patients). The hazard ratio (HR) for fractures after stroke was 1.26 (CI: 1.15-1.39) and for fractures after TIA, it was 1.14 (CI: 1.03-1.25). In female stroke patients, the HR for fractures was 1.32 (CI: 1.15-1.60), while in males, it was 1.20 (CI: 1.03-1.39). Among TIA patients, females had an elevated HR for fractures (HR: 1.21; CI: 1.06-1.37). In individuals aged ≥ 80 years, an increased risk for fractures was only detected among TIA patients (HR: 1.26; CI: 1.05-1.51). Dementia and non-opioid analgesic therapy were positively associated with fracture after both stroke and TIA. CONCLUSION: Stroke was positively associated with fracture in patients < 80 years, while TIA was positively associated with fracture in patients ≥ 80 years and females. Dementia and analgesic therapy were also associated with fracture after either stroke or TIA.

Effect of progestogen-only contraception on premenopausal fracture risk: a case-control study.

Our study demonstrated that progestogen-only oral and intrauterine contraceptives are not associated with fracture risk independent from age. PURPOSE: The use of progestogen-only contraception, resulting in a hypoestrogenic state, has been associated with impaired bone acquisition and increased fracture risk. The aim of this large population-based study was to assess the fracture risk in association with the use of progestogen-only contraceptives (progestogen-only pills (POPs) and progestogen-containing IUDs (LNG-IUD)). METHODS: We identified 14,421 women between 16 and 55 years of age with a first-time diagnosis of fracture and matched them with 14,421 random controls using the Disease Analyzer Database. RESULTS: The results of the first adjusted logistic regression model (ever use vs. never use of progestogen-only contraceptives) revealed that there was no significant association between the use of POPs (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.90-1.07, p = 0.657) or LNG-IUDs (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.81-1.21, p = 0.945) and fracture incidence. Also, in the second regression model, we observed no effect of duration of use of POPs (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.98-1.03, p = 0.672) or LNG-IUDs (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.87-1.02, p = 0.177) on fracture occurrence. We also observed no effect in different age groups. CONCLUSION: Our study results indicate that progestogen-only contraception (either POPs or LNG-IUPs) is not associated with fracture risk and may be considered a bone-safe option for adults and adolescents.

Incidence of fractures in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus-a retrospective study with 4420 patients.

This retrospective study investigated the incidence of fracture in 4420 type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients. Our findings indicate that patients with T1DM have an increased incidence of fractures. Further studies and preventive measures are urgently needed. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of fracture in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: This study is based on the German Disease Analyzer database and included 4258 adult individuals with a T1DM diagnosis documented between January 2000 and December 2015 in 1203 general practices in Germany. Individual matching of T1DM and non-diabetic patients was performed. The cumulative incidence of new fractures was shown for up to 10 years after the index date using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazard models (dependent variable: incident fracture) were used to estimate the effect of T1DM on fracture incidence, as well as the effect of predefined variables on fracture incidence. RESULTS: After 10 years of follow-up, the cumulative fracture incidence was 18.4% for T1DM patients and 9.9% for non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001). A strong association between T1DM and fractures was found (HR, 2.01 (95% CI, 1.70-2.38) p < 0.001) in both female and male patients. Significant differences between T1DM and non-diabetes patients were found in lower leg/ankle, foot and toe, shoulder/upper arm, and rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine fractures. A significant association between higher age and fracture incidence was observed in T1DM patients. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that patients with T1DM have a twofold increased fracture rate compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, fractures were associated with increased age and high HbA1c values.

Prevalence of insulin as a first-line therapy and associated factors in people with type 2 diabetes in German primary care practices.

AIM: To evaluate how many people with type 2 diabetes receive a treatment regimen with insulin as a first-line therapy and the factors associated with this. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on data from the Disease Analyzer database and included 10 497 people with type 2 diabetes with an initial prescription of anti-hyperglycaemic therapy from 859 general and diabetologist practices in Germany between January 2014 and December 2018. The main outcome of the study was the prevalence of insulin as a first-line therapy. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to investigate the association between predefined variables and the probability of receiving insulin as a first-line therapy. RESULTS: A total of 7.1% of participants received insulin as a first-line therapy. Diabetologist practice [odds ratio (OR) 2.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.81-4.06], age > 80 years (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.20-4.61) compared with age ≤ 40 years, HbA1c ≥ 86 mmol/mol (10%) (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.81-4.95) compared with HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol (6.5%), renal complications (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.29-2.81), peripheral artery disease (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.30-2.81), neurological complications (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.00-2.09), Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08-1.25) and higher number of different drugs prescribed within 12 months prior-the index date (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.12) were significantly associated with the probability of receiving insulin as a first-line therapy. CONCLUSION: Insulin is rarely used as a first-line therapy in people with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, a person's likelihood of receiving insulin as a first-line therapy is significantly influenced by diabetologist practice, age, HbA1c ≥ 86 mmol/mol (10%), renal, neurological and vascular complications, higher multimorbidity, and polypharmacy.

Long-term risk of stroke and its predictors in transient ischaemic attack patients in Germany.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the long-term association between transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and stroke. Therefore, the goal of this study was to analyze the long-term risk of stroke and associated predictors in a large cohort of TIA patients followed in general practices in Germany. METHODS: This study included patients with an initial TIA diagnosis and subsequently followed up in one of 1262 general practices in Germany between January 2007 and December 2016 (N = 19 824 patients). The primary outcome of the study was the risk of ischaemic stroke within 10 years of the initial diagnosis of TIA. The secondary outcome was the identification of demographic, clinical and pharmaceutical variables significantly associated with stroke in TIA patients. RESULTS: Within 10 years of the initial TIA diagnosis, 18.3% of individuals were diagnosed with stroke. Age was positively associated with stroke, with hazard ratios ranging from 1.88 in patients aged 51-60 years to 4.00 in those aged >80 years (reference group: patients aged ≤50 years). Furthermore, male sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation and ischaemic heart diseases had an additional impact on the risk of stroke. Finally, new oral anticoagulants, heparins, diuretics, angiotensin II receptor blockers and platelet aggregation inhibitors were identified as protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of almost 20 000 TIA patients, 18.3% were diagnosed with stroke within 10 years after the TIA index event. Several demographic, clinical and pharmaceutical variables significantly predicted the long-term risk of stroke in TIA patients.

Medication use in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Germany - a large retrospective patient-based study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to provide an insight into medical treatment practices among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in Germany. An investigation of ICD codes and ATC classes of CRS patients in general and otolaryngology offices in Germany should reveal the prevalent treatment behaviors of German physicians. METHODS: The present study used data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA). The study sample included patients from 940 general (GP) and 106 otolaryngology (ENT) practices who were coded as having chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32) or nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33) in 2015 (index date). The primary outcome measures were the number of patients with these diagnoses per practice as well as the proportion of patients with prescriptions for topical corticosteroids, systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics, antihistamines, and local decongestants within 365 days after the first diagnosis. RESULTS: This retrospective study included 26,768 patients with coding for chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32) and 516 patients for nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33) in 940 GP practices and 19,826 patients with coding for chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32) and 1,773 patients for nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33) in 106 ENT practices. In patients coded as having chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32), topical corticosteroids were prescribed at a low rate (GP: 12.3%, ENT: 34.3%). In patients coded as having nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33), topical corticosteroid usage was higher in GP practices (27.3%) and in ENT practices (71.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Topical corticosteroid usage in CRS patients in GP practices in Germany is as low as in other Western countries. Increased usage of topical corticosteroids in CRS patients with polyposis should be encouraged in GP and ENT practices.

The tamoxifen paradox-influence of adjuvant tamoxifen on fracture risk in pre- and postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Our data demonstrate that tamoxifen does not reduce fracture risk. Close surveillance is necessary to prevent bone loss in premenopausal women with breast cancer upon treatment initiation. INTRODUCTION: Endocrine treatment of breast cancer may interfere with bone turnover and influence fracture risk. METHODS: Out of a cohort of almost 5 million patients in total, we identified 5520 women between 18 and 90 years of age with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen, matched them with 5520 healthy controls using the Disease Analyzer Database, and investigated the fracture risk. RESULTS: We found a cumulative incidence of fractures of 6.3% in patients aged between 18 and 50 years (n = 3634) treated with tamoxifen versus a cumulative incidence of 3.6% in the control group (p < 0.001). As such, the risk of fracture was 75% higher for patients receiving tamoxifen than that for healthy controls (HR 1.75; 95% CI 1.25-2.48). With regard to patients aged between 55 and 90 years (n = 7406), the cumulative incidence of fractures in patients treated with tamoxifen was 10.1% compared to 9.3% in the control group (p = 0.740), i.e., there was no significant difference between the two groups (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.81-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to healthy controls, premenopausal women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen showed an increased risk of fracture, while postmenopausal women on tamoxifen did not show any risk reduction.

Low annual frequency of HbA1c testing in people with Type 2 diabetes in primary care practices in Germany.

AIMS: To analyse the annual frequency of HbA1c testing, as well as the factors associated with higher or lower testing frequency, in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in general practices and specialist diabetes practices in Germany. METHODS: A total of 43 509 people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes between January 2016 and December 2016 in 557 medical practices (51% of all practices) were included in this study. The primary outcome was the annual recorded frequency of HbA1c testing in 2016. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with the odds of HbA1c concentration being tested at least twice in 2016, using predefined demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The mean (sd) number of reported HbA1c tests was 2.7 (1.6) in 2016. Overall, 74% of individuals had at least two annual HbA1c measurements. The likelihood of receiving ≥2 HbA1c tests was inversely associated with stroke (odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.74-0.89), shorter diabetes duration (≤1 year: odds ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.70-0.84) and higher mean HbA1c concentration (≥8.5%: odds ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.94) and was positively associated with specialist diabetes care (odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.14-1.36), hypertension (odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17), hyperlipidaemia (odds ratio 1.48, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.55), renal complications (odds ratio 1.41, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.50), neuropathy (odds ratio 1.27, CI 1.20 to 1.35) and retinopathy (odds ratio 1.38, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.52). CONCLUSIONS: Only three out of four individuals with Type 2 diabetes underwent at least two HbA1c tests in Germany in 2016, which means that 25% of individuals underwent fewer tests than required by German guidelines.

[Diagnoses of thyroid disorders in ENT and general practices in Germany between 2008 and 2016]. / Diagnosen von Schilddrüsenerkrankungen in HNO-Praxen und Hausarztpraxen in Deutschland 2008­2016.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate thyroid disorder diagnoses in otorhinolaryngologic (ENT) practices in Germany compared to general (GP) practices using data from a representative Germany-wide practice database. METHODS: The database was retrospectively searched for diagnoses of thyroid disorders made in ENT and GP practices between January 2008 and December 2016. Data were collected on the most common three-character disease classes (categories) from the "Disorders of thyroid gland" (E00-E07) group as well as the "Benign neoplasm of thyroid gland" (D34) and "Malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland" (C73) categories. The periods 2008-2010, 2011-2013, and 2014-2016 were evaluated. RESULTS: The database included 71 ENT and 506 GP practices with continuous participation from 2008 to 2016. The relative frequency (patients/practice) of diagnoses from the "Disorders of thyroid gland" group was 4.4-times higher in GP than in ENT practices. The relative frequency of benign neoplasms of the thyroid gland was 5­times higher in GP than in ENT practices. The relative frequency of malignant neoplasms of the thyroid gland was almost identical in GP and ENT practices. The most frequent diagnoses in both ENT and GP practices were found in the categories "Other nontoxic goiter" (E04) and "Other hypothyroidism" (E03). Diagnoses in the categories "Hyperthyroidism" (E05) and "Thyroiditis" (E06) were less frequent. Diagnoses of thyroid neoplasms were the least frequent, with benign neoplasms diagnosed more frequently in GP practices and malignant neoplasms diagnosed more frequently in ENT practices. During the study period, the diagnostic frequency of thyroid diseases decreased in ENT practices, whereas it increased in GP practices. CONCLUSION: Despite the increasing interest in establishing thyroid surgery in ENT clinics in Germany in recent years, thyroid diagnoses in ENT practices in Germany have been continuously declining, whereas they have considerably increased in GP practices. The reason for this may be health insurance provider-related differences in reimbursement practices for GPs and specialists.

Impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder therapy on fracture risk in children treated in German pediatric practices.

Two thousand eight hundred ninety-four children and adolescents treated by 243 pediatricians were analyzed. Patients receiving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications were at a lower risk of fractures than patients without ADHD medications. The strongest impact was in the age group of 6-9 years. Finally, there was a significant association between therapy duration and fracture risk. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of ADHD therapy on fracture risk in children treated by German pediatricians. METHODS: Children and adolescents initially diagnosed with ADHD and fractures between 2010 and 2015 were identified by 243 pediatricians. In this nested case-control study, each ADHD case with a fracture was matched (1:1) to an ADHD control without a fracture for age, gender, index year, and physician. In total, 2894 individuals were available for analysis. The main outcome of the study was the risk of fracture as a function of ADHD therapy. Multivariate logistic regression models were created to determine the effect of ADHD therapy on the risk of fracture in the entire population and in three age-specific subgroups. RESULTS: Patients receiving ADHD medications were at a lower risk of fracture than patients without ADHD medications (OR = 0.61). The impact of ADHD therapy on the risk of fracture was stronger in the age group of 6-9 years (OR = 0.41) than in the age groups of 10-13 years (OR = 0.68) and 14-17 years (OR = 0.74). Finally, a significant correlation was found between therapy duration and fracture risk (OR = 0.71 per month). CONCLUSION: ADHD therapy was associated with a decrease in the risk of fracture in children and adolescents treated by German pediatricians.

Use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and risk of bone fracture in patients with type 2 diabetes in Germany-A retrospective analysis of real-world data.

In type 2 diabetes patients treated in German primary care practices, the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) in combination with metformin was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of developing bone fractures compared to metformin monotherapy. INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to analyze the impact of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) use on the risk of bone fracture in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Germany. METHODS: Patients with an initial prescription of metformin between 2008 and 2014 from 1262 German general practitioner practices were selected. We matched 4160 DPP4i ever users to never users (1:1) based on age, sex, diabetes duration, body mass index, index year, and physician type. The primary outcome measure was the rate of bone fractures within five years of the start of metformin or DPP-4i therapy. Time-dependent Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for fractures as a function of the DPP4i therapy. RESULTS: The mean age among the patients was 61.6 years (SD = 11.1 years), 59.6% were men, and 3.1% were followed in diabetologist practices. The mean diabetes duration was 1.5 years (SD = 2.4 years), HbA1c levels were 7.1% in DPP4i users and 6.6% in non-users, and body mass index was 31.5 kg/m2 (SD = 5.0 kg/m2). Within five years of the index date, 6.4% of users and 8.3% of non-users developed bone fractures (log-rank p-value < 0.001). Within five years of the index date, 7.4% of female and 4.7% of male users and 13.3% of female and 8.8% of male non-users were diagnosed with bone fractures (both log-rank p-values < 0.001). The use of DPP4i was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of developing bone fractures (all patients HR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.54-0.84; women HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.97; men HR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.88). CONCLUSION: DPP4i use was associated with a decrease in the risk of bone fracture.

The impact of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on fracture risk: a case-control study from the UK.

There has been concerning about women receiving depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraception because of the prolonged hypoestrogenemic state regarding the potential negative effects on bone health. This study showed that DMPA exposure is associated with increased fracture risk and that fracture risk increases with longer DMPA exposure. INTRODUCTION: DMPA has been associated with impaired bone mineral acquisition during adolescence and accelerated bone loss in later life. We performed this large population-based study to assess the association between use of DMPA or combined oral contraceptives and the incident risk of fracture. METHODS: We identified 4189 women between 20 and 44 years of age with a first-time fracture diagnosis, matched them with 4189 random controls using the Disease Analyzer database and investigated the relation with DMPA exposure. RESULTS: Overall, 11 % of the fracture cases and 7.7 % of the controls had DMPA use recorded. The adjusted OR for developing a fracture in patients with current use of DMPA compared to non-users was 0.97 (95 % CI 0.51-1.86), 2.41 (95 % CI 1.42-4.08), and 1.46 (95 % CI 0.96-2.23) for 1-2, 3-9, and ≥10 prescriptions, respectively. The adjusted OR for developing a fracture in patients with past use of DMPA compared to non-users was 0.96 (95 % CI 0.73-1.26), 1.14 (95 % CI 0.86-1.51), and 1.55 (95 % CI 1.07-2.27) for 1-2, 3-9, and ≥10 prescriptions, respectively. The highest fracture risk was identified in young patients less than 30 years with longer DMPA exposure (≥10 prescriptions; OR 3.04, 95 % CI 1.36-6.81), as well as in patients in the late reproductive years with past use of DMPA (OR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.13-2.63). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that DMPA exposure is associated with increased fracture risk and may have negative effects on bone metabolism, resulting in impaired bone mineral acquisition during adolescence and accelerated bone loss in adult life.

Oral contraceptive use and fracture risk-a retrospective study of 12,970 women in the UK.

In the present retrospective case-control study, we compared 6485 women with fractures and 6485 women without fractures from 135 general practitioner offices in the UK. Women without bone fractures were statistically more likely to have been exposed to oral contraception, depending on their age and therapy duration. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this analysis was to compare the risk of bone fracture in women using hormonal contraception with that in women who have never used hormonal contraception. METHODS: A total of 6485 women (mean age 37.8 years) with an initial diagnosis of fracture between January 2010 and December 2015 were identified in 135 doctors' offices in the UK Disease Analyzer database. In this nested case-control study, each case with a fracture was matched (1:1) to a control without a fracture for age, index year, and follow-up time. In total, 12,970 individuals were available for analysis. The main outcome of the study was the risk of fracture as a function of combined oral contraceptive (OC) therapy. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the effect of OC therapy and its duration on the risk of fracture in the entire population and in four age-specific subgroups. RESULTS: Women without bone fractures were significantly more likely to have used oral contraception (OR 0.81). The usage of oral contraception was associated with a significantly lower risk of bone fracture (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74-0.90). This effect was strongest in the age groups 18-25 and 26-35 and in patients with an OC treatment duration of more than 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that women without bone fractures were significantly more likely to have had exposure to combined oral contraception, especially where the duration of intake was at least 5 years.

Risk factors for epistaxis in patients followed in general practices in Germany.

BACKGROUND: The goal of the present study was to analyze the risk factors for epistaxis in patients followed in general practices in Germany. METHODS: The current study sample included patients aged 18 years or older who received a first epistaxis diagnosis between January 2012 and December 2016 (index date). Epistaxis patients and controls without epistaxis were matched (1:1) on the basis of age, gender, insurance status and physician. RESULTS: A total of 16,801 patients with epistaxis and 16,801 control subjects were included in this study. Of the subjects, 53.2% were men, and the mean age was 59.6 years (SD=21.2 years). Epistaxis was found to be positively associated with hypertension, obesity, chronic sinusitis, other disorders of the nose and nasal sinuses, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder (ORs ranging from 1.13 to 1.44). Epistaxis was also associated with the prescription of vitamin K antagonists, preparations from the heparin group, platelet aggregation inhibitors excluding heparin, direct thrombin inhibitors, direct factor Xa inhibitors, other antithrombotic agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and nasal steroids (ORs ranging from 1.15 to 3.55). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, epistaxis risk is increased by multiple medical and psychiatric disorders. Several antithrombotic and nasal steroid therapies are also associated with this risk.

Depression risk in female patients with osteoporosis in primary care practices in Germany.

UNLABELLED: Thirty-five thousand four hundred eighty-three female osteoporosis patients were compared with 35,483 patients without osteoporosis regarding the incidence of depression. The risk of depression is significantly increased for patients with osteoporosis compared with patients without osteoporosis in primary care practices within Germany. INTRODUCTION: The objectives of the present study were to analyze the incidence of depression in German female patients with osteoporosis and to evaluate the risk factors for depression diagnosis within this patient population. METHODS: This study was a retrospective database analysis conducted in Germany utilizing the Disease Analyzer® Database (IMS Health, Germany). The study population included 70,966 patients between 40 and 80 years of age from 1072 primary care practices. The observation period was between 2004 and 2013. Follow-up duration was 5 years and was completed in April 2015. A total of 35,483 osteoporosis patients were selected after applying exclusion criteria, and 35,483 controls were chosen and then matched (1:1) to osteoporosis patients based on age, sex, health insurance coverage, depression diagnosis in the past, and follow-up duration after index date. The analyses of depression-free survival were carried out using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards models (dependent variable: depression) were used to adjust for confounders. RESULTS: Depression diagnoses were presented in 33.0 % of the osteoporosis group and 22.7 % of the control group after the 5-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Dementia, cancer, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and diabetes were associated with a higher risk of developing depression (p < 0.001). Private health insurance was associated with a lower risk of depression. There was no significant effect of fractures on depression risk. CONCLUSION: The risk of depression is significantly increased for patients with osteoporosis in primary care practices within Germany.