Study warns of osteoporosis from proton pump inhibitor use

NEW YORK Prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors may increase risk of fractures related to osteoporosis, a study published Tuesday indicates.

The study looked at 15,792 patients aged 50 and older who had fractures in the hip, spine or wrist and compared them with a control group with no history of such fractures. The study found that while continuous use of proton pump inhibitors for a short period of time did not increase fracture risk, five years of use increased the risk of hip fractures, while seven years’ use increased of fractures in general.

The study appeared in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.