The association between peripheral arterial disease and risk for hip fractures in elderly men is not explained by low hip bone mineral density. Results from the MrOS Sweden study.

In this prospective study in Swedish elderly men, PAD based on an ABI < 0.9 was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, independent of age and hip BMD. However, after further adjustments for comorbidity, medications, physical function, and socioeconomic factors, the association diminished and was no longer statistically significant. INTRODUCTION: To examine if peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture in men independent of hip BMD. METHODS: Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was assessed in the Swedish MrOS (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men) study, a prospective observational study including 3014 men aged 69-81 years at baseline. PAD was defined as ABI < 0.90. Incident fractures were assessed in computerized X-ray archives. The risk for hip fractures was calculated using Cox proportional hazard models. At baseline, BMD was assessed using DXA (Lunar Prodigy and Hologic QDR 4500) and functional measurements and blood samples were collected. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect information about medical history, falls, and medication. RESULTS: During 10 years of follow-up, 186 men had an incident hip fracture. The hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture in men with PAD was 1.70 (95% CI 1.14-2.54), adjusted for age and study site. Additional adjustment for total hip BMD marginally affected this association (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.10-2.45). In a final multivariate model, the HR attenuated to a non-significant HR 1.38 (95% CI 0.91-2.11) adjusted for age, site, hip BMD, BMI, falls, smoking, eGFR, handgrip strength, walking speed, former hip fracture, antihypertensive treatment, diabetes, education, and history of cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PAD is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture independently of hip BMD in elderly Swedish men. However, the high frequency of comorbidity and lower physical performance among men with PAD might partly explain this association.

Antihypertensive drug classes and the risk of hip fracture: results from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension and fractures related to osteoporosis are major public health problems that often coexist. This study examined the associations between exposure to different antihypertensive drug classes and the risk of hip fracture in hypertensive patients. METHOD: We included 59 246 individuals, 50 years and older, diagnosed with hypertension during 2001-2008 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Patients were followed from 1 January 2006 (or the date of diagnosis of hypertension) until they had their first hip fracture, died, or reached the end of the study on 31 December 2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the risk of hip fracture across types of antihypertensive medications, adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, medications, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: In total, 2593 hip fractures occurred. Compared to nonusers, current use of bendroflumethiazide or hydrochlorothiazide was associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 0.86; 95% CI 0.75-0.98 and hazard ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.74-0.96, respectively), as was use of fixed drug combinations containing a thiazide (hazard ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.57-0.83). Current use of loop diuretics was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 1.23; 95% CI 1.11-1.35). No significant associations were found between the risk of hip fracture and current exposure to beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone-receptor blockers or calcium channel blockers. CONCLUSION: In this large observational study of hypertensive patients, the risk of hip fracture differed across users of different antihypertensive drugs, results that could have practical implications when choosing antihypertensive drug therapy.

Thiazide diuretics and the risk of osteoporotic fractures in hypertensive patients. Results from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to investigate if treatment with thiazides reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures in hypertensive patients in primary healthcare. Further we aimed to examine the impact of duration of thiazide use, the consequences of discontinuation of treatment, and the possible difference in effect between men and women. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study includes 57 822 individuals, 45 years and older, diagnosed with hypertension during 2001-2008 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Patients were followed from 1 January 2006 (or the date of their first diagnosis of hypertension if that date came later), until they had an incident osteoporotic fracture, died, or reached the end of the study at 31 December 2012. Patients exposed to thiazides were compared with patients never exposed to thiazides. RESULTS: Current use of thiazides was associated with significantly reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures [hazards ratio 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81-0.98], and increased with longer treatment periods (hazards ratio 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.97 after 2 years). However, discontinuation of thiazides increased the risk of osteoporotic fractures (hazards ratio 1.18; 95% CI 1.04-1.33), but attenuated with longer duration past treatment period. When analyzing men and women separately, similar results were seen, although only significant in men. CONCLUSION: This large observational study confirms that thiazide therapy in hypertensive patients is associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures. The protective effect increased with longer treatment periods. However, discontinuation of treatment increased the risk of fractures, which emphasizes the importance of continuous treatment.