Association of Statins and Risk of Fractures in a Military Health System: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis

Ian M. Ward, Eric M. Mortensen, Daniel F. Battafarano, Christopher R. Frei, Ishak Mansi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1406-1414
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Pharmacotherapy
Volume48
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 27 2014

Keywords

  • fractures
  • hip fracture
  • observational studies
  • statin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology (medical)

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