TZDs Associated With Broken Bones

A study presented at the 2009 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association associated thiazolidinedione drugs with a 40% higher fracture risk. 

Thiazolidinediones used in the U.S. are rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos).  “Thiazolidinedione” is so hard to pronounce that my physician colleagues refer to them as “TZDs” or “glitazones.” 

The researchers examined the Medco database – more than 13 million people – looking for people with diabetes between the ages of 43 and 63 at study onset who were using TZDs, metformin, exenatide (Byetta), or a sulfonylurea (e.g., glipizide, glyburide, glimiperide).

Note that this study has not yet undergone the peer-review process and been published in a medical journal.

Take-Home Points 

These results are prelimary and require confirmation and peer-review by experts in the field.  Nevertheless, if I had diabetes and were at risk of broken bones –  presence of osteoporosis, for example – I would ask my doctor about alternatives before taking TZDs.  Stay alert for developments.   

Steve Parker, M.D.

Reference:  Wood, Shelley.  More evidence links glitazones to broken bones.  TheHeart.org, June 12, 2009.