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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
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Published on: February 28, 2012

Fracture risk in patients treated with amiodarone or digoxin for cardiac arrhythmias: a nation-wide case-control

L Rejnmark1, P Vestergaard, L Mosekilde

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism C, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus Sygehus, Tage Hansens Gade 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. rejnmark@post6.tele.dk

Osteoporosis International : a Journal Established As Result of Cooperation Between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA
|November 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Elderly patients with atrial fibrillation or treated with amiodarone face higher fracture risks. However, digoxin use may decrease fracture risk, especially with higher doses.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cardiac arrhythmias and osteoporotic fractures are prevalent health concerns in the elderly population.
  • Understanding the interplay between these conditions and their treatments is crucial for geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between tachyarrhythmia, antiarrhythmic drug use, and the risk of osteoporotic fractures.
  • To identify specific arrhythmias and medications that influence fracture risk in older adults.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide, population-based, pharmaco-epidemiological case-control study was conducted.
  • 124,655 fracture patients were compared with 373,962 age- and gender-matched controls using computerized registers for drug use and fracture data.
  • Confounding factors were assessed and adjusted for in the analysis.

Main Results:

  • Atrial fibrillation was associated with an increased risk of any fracture (OR: 1.14).
  • Treatment with amiodarone significantly increased fracture risk (OR: 1.47), while digoxin use decreased it (OR: 0.75).
  • Digoxin's protective effect on fracture risk was dose-dependent and observed in individuals over 65.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with atrial fibrillation or on amiodarone treatment require careful monitoring for fracture risk.
  • Digoxin therapy may offer a protective benefit against osteoporotic fractures in the elderly.
  • Further research into the mechanisms underlying these associations is warranted.
Abstract

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