Senior Citizens Taking Osteoporosis Drugs Increase
Risk for Irregular Heart Beat, Death
Taking alendronate or zoledronic acid makes seniors
significantly more likely to experience serious atrial fibrillation
Oct.
27, 2008 - People who take bisphosphonates for osteoporosis may be at
risk for serious atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heartbeats,
according to a new study. The research shows that people taking
alendronate or zoledronic acid, two common medications to prevent or
slow the occurrence of osteoporosis, were significantly more likely to
experience serious AF, including hospitalization or death, compared with
placebo.
Atrial fibrillation can be serious if it is
persistent or occurs in people with preexisting heart disease or
hypertension, said Jennifer Miranda, MD, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Miami, FL. If left untreated, it can lead to pulmonary edema,
congestive heart failure, or the formation of a blood clot that can
cause a brain embolism and stroke.
In a metaanalysis, Dr. Miranda and colleagues from
the University of Miami evaluated the relationship between the use of
bisphosphonates and AF, a condition that can produce a wide range of
symptoms, including light-headedness, palpitations, chest pain, and
shortness of breath, or no symptoms at all.
Three studies met eligibility criteria and included
a total of 16,322 patients, of whom 76 to 100 percent were women using
bisphosphonates for osteoporosis with a mean age range 69 to 75 years.
Patients in the study were taking alendronate or
zoledronic acid. The analysis showed that 2.5 to 3 percent of patients
taking bisphosphonates experienced atrial fibrillation and 1 to 2
percent experienced serious AF, including hospitalization or death.
Patients taking bisphosphonates were more likely to experience AF than
patients receiving placebo and up to two fracture risk, said Dr.
Miranda.
Bisphosphonates are widely used to treat millions
of women and men who suffer from osteoporosis or low bone density, said
James A. L. Mathers, Jr., MD, FCCP, President of the American College of
Chest Physicians.
A potential link between bisphosphonates and
atrial fibrillation warrants additional research in this area.
The study was presented at CHEST 2008, the 74th
annual international scientific assembly of the American College of
Chest Physicians (ACCP).
CHEST 2008 is the 74th annual international
scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians, held
October 25-30 in Philadelphia, PA. ACCP represents 17,000 members who
provide patient care in the areas of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep
medicine in the United States and throughout the world. The ACCPs
mission is to promote the prevention and treatment of diseases of the
chest through leadership, education, research, and communication. For
more information about the ACCP, please visit the ACCP Web site at
www.chestnet.org.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Oct.
27, 2008 - People who take bisphosphonates for osteoporosis may be at
risk for serious atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heartbeats,
according to a new study. The research shows that people taking
alendronate or zoledronic acid, two common medications to prevent or
slow the occurrence of osteoporosis, were significantly more likely to
experience serious AF, including hospitalization or death, compared with
placebo.