Statins appear to enhance bone health in men, too

Taking statins to control cholesterol appears to have an added benefit: reducing the likelihood of a broken bone. But most studies showing this effect have involved women, who are particularly susceptible to Osteoporosis, which weakens bones. Should men expect the same results?

THIS STUDY analyzed medical data on 91,052 older people, almost all of them men. Of this group, 28,063 took Statins and 2,195 took other lipid-lowering drugs. Over 3 1/2 years, 2,463 people broke a bone. Fractures occurred 32 percent less often in those taking Statins than in people taking other lipid-lowering drugs and 36 percent less often than in those taking no cholesterol medications.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THESE FINDINGS?

Older men, who also are subject to the effects of Osteoporosis. Of the 10 million Americans with this disease, 2 million are men.

CAVEATS

The study did not differentiate between types of Statins nor clarify how the dose or length of time someone has taken the drug might affect the results.

FIND THIS STUDY Sept. 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine; abstract available online at www.archinternmed.com.