Today's Medical News From Newspapers, TV, Radio and the Journals.

Prepared exclusively
for members of American Medical Association
In affiliation with US News and World Report 

Customized Briefing for Dr. Jarir Nakouzi

Avandia, Actos may increase bone fracture risk in women, analysis suggests.

The Los Angeles Times (12/13, Maugh II) reported, "Long-term use of the family of diabetes drugs that includes rosiglitazone [Avandia] and pioglitazone [Actos] doubles the risk of bone fractures in women, but not in men," according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Dr. Sonal Singh, of Wake Forest University, and colleagues, conducted a meta-analysis of "10 clinical trials that included 13,717" patients with diabetes. The researchers "found that the drugs reduced bone density in the spine and hips of the elderly women, increasing the risk of fractures." Specifically, "use of the drugs for at least a year in women older than 70 would result in at least one additional fracture among every 21 women." The data also indicated that use of the "drugs would produce an additional fracture for every 55 women between the ages of 55 and 70." Currently, about "four million Americans take the drugs, about half of them women."