Association of Statins and Risk of Fractures in a Military Health System: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ward, Ian M.; Mortensen, Eric M.; Battafarano, Daniel F.; Frei, Christopher R.; Mansi, Ishak
• Is Part Of: Annals of pharmacotherapy. Volume 48:Number 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1406
• Page End: 1414
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: statin -- hip fracture -- fractures -- observational studies; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1177/1060028014545038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1060-0280

Abstract

Background: Contradictory evidence exists regarding statin use and risk of osteoporotic fractures.Objective: The study objective was to examine the effect of statins on fracture risk in a Military Healthcare System (MHS) with similar access and standard of health care for its beneficiaries.Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients enrolled in an MHS encompassing the period from October 1, 2003, to March 1, 2010. Statin users were defined as those receiving a statin for ≥90 days in Fiscal Year 2005, whereas nonusers were defined as individuals not receiving a statin throughout the study period. A propensity score–matched cohort of statin users and nonusers was created using 42 variables. The outcomes were identified using ICD-9-CM codes in the follow-up period (October 1, 2006, to March 1, 2010). In all, 4 outcomes were examined: all fractures, femoral neck fractures, upper-extremity fractures, and lower-extremity fractures.Results: Of 46 249 patients, 6967 pairs of statin users and nonusers were matched. Statin users had a lower risk of femoral neck fracture in comparison to nonusers (odds ratio = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.36-0.94) but similar risk of all fractures, lower-extremity fractures, and upper-extremity fractures.Conclusions: In this cohort of patients managed in an MHS, statin use was associated with a lower risk of femoral neck fractures, but not all fractures, upper-extremity fractures, or lower-extremity fractures.