Glitazones Could Increase Risk Of Bone Fractures

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopaedics
Article Date: 30 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PST

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New research claims that people with diabetes who take glitazones could be at increased risk of bone fractures.

The study found that people taking one of the eight glitazones for 12 to 18 months were at almost double the risk of a fracture, particularly of the hip or wrist, and those taking one of the drugs for more than two years were almost three times the risk.

The research, led by Dr Christian Meier, of University Hospital Basel, in Switzerland, looked at 1,020 British people with diabetes who had fractures between 1994 and 2005.

Further evidence

"The results of this study suggest that there might be an increase in fractures through the use of glitazones and this is consistent with the results from other studies", said Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK.

"However, as the authors admit, the number of people studied in this trial was small and we really do need further evidence through properly controlled trials before we can conclusively link glitazones to increased risk of various bone conditions in humans.

"Both the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency say that people should certainly not stop taking glitazones and if concerned they should consult their doctor."

Diabetes UK recommendations

Diabetes UK strongly recommends that people with Type 2 diabetes eat a healthy balanced diet and incorporate physical activity into their daily life as part of good diabetes control.

Diabetes UK