New study questions previous link between diabetes medication and fractures

• Although clinical trials have linked the diabetes drug sodium glucose transporter to a higher risk of fractures, a large study found no additional risk when these drugs were compared to diabetes drugs not associated with fractur.

  
  

• The findings apply to both older adults with normal kidney function and those with mild or moderate kidney disea.

  
  

Sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors can reduce the reabsorption of glucose by the kidneys, help control blood sugar levels, and protect kidney health in people with diabetic nephropathy; however, some large clinical trials have linked these drugs to higher linked to fracture ri.

The study, conducted by Dr Andrea Cowan (London Health Sciences Centre) and her colleagues, compared fracture rates in adults aged 66 or older who prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors with those prescribed diabetes drugs differently An inhibitor called dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-4) was not associated with fractur.

Overall, 342 fractures occurred in 180 days and 689 fractures in 365 da.

"This study reassures patients and physicians that SGLT-2 inhibitors are not associated with an increased risk of fractures in patients with chronic kidney disease," said .

An editorial noted that the study "adds to the evidence related to the safety of SGLT2 inhibitors, but it should encourage continued basic and clinical research to better define their potential risk of fracture, especially in individuals with more severe chronic kidney disea.

Original title:

“Fracture Risk of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease,” will appear online at http://cja.