Statins May Ward Off Fractures

A study involving 91,052 seniors found that taking statins mayprevent fractured and broken bones. The participants, predominantlymen, were enrolled in the Veterans Administration health care system.Of the participants, 28,063 were prescribed only statins, and2195 were taking other cholesterol-lowering medications.

As reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine (September26, 2005), the researchers found a 36% lower risk of fractures inthe statin group, compared with patients taking no lipid-loweringmedication, and a 32% lower risk, compared with patients takingother lipid-lowering therapy.

Lead investigator Richard E. Scranton, MD, concluded thatthe study did not determine whether seniors should take statinsto prevent injuries. "But the question is too important to ignore," he said. "What needs to be done is a randomized control trialto take patients who are at risk for fractures and see if the useof statins would prevent that."