Diabetes Treatment May Increase Fracture Risk in Older Women

Thursday, 18 February 2010 17:13

A study published in Endocrine Today has found that women who take thiazolidinediones (TZD) for one year were 50% more likely to have a fracture then women not taking the drug. These results appear to be most prominent in women 65 year of age and old - who are already at higher risk for osteoporosis.

The research was conducted with 19,070 patients (about half women and half men) over seven years at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. During the study the researchers gathered data on prescription and medical claims to gather their information. The increase risk was only seen with women and not with men.

Therefore, women who are taking treatment for diabetes should be aware of the risk to their bone health and talk to their doctor about getting a bone density test if they haven’t had one and what prevention strategies they should incorporate into their lives.