The use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or SSRIs in the US has been steadily rising since their approval by the FDA for treating depression. There are several drugs in this class, most common are Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
A study released in January this year in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that persons older than 50 years of age may be at increased risk for fracture due to SSRI use.
The study followed more than 170 men and women on SSRIs and about 5,000 persons not on the antidepressant medication. They compared bone mineral density and fracture incidence in the two population sets over a five year period.
For those individuals in the SSRI group, bone mineral density was lower in the hips compared to the controls. The risk of fracture was dramatically different. Persons on SSRIs had double the risk of fracture, or 200 percent greater risk, compared to a person of equal age. This effect held true after adjusting for the most common risk factors for fracture.
Most of the fractures were due to a minor fall, an occurence in older individuals. Minor falls usually do not pose a risk for fracture except in people with osteoporosis, or weak bones.
The authors speculate that the SSRI drugs affect the bone building cells, osteoclasts, which results in lower mineralization in the bony matrix.
Because of the high number of persons placed on SSRI medications, caution should be executed in older persons, especially those at risk for falls.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on April 2, 2007 03:32 PM
