Authors: P Vestergaard L Rejnmark L Mosekilde
Publish Date: 2005/09/08
Volume: 77, Issue: 3, Pages: 139-144
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess alterations in fracture risk in patients with hyper and hypothyroidism and the effects of antithyroid drugs and levothyroxine on fracture risk The study was designed as a case–control study All patients with a fracture n = 124655 in the year 2000 in Denmark served as cases For each case three age and gendermatched controls were randomly drawn from the general population n = 373962 Exposure variables were a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism hypothyroidism ever use of antithyroid drugs and ever use of levothyroxine Adjustments were made for time since diagnosis surgery for hyperthyroidism thyroid cancer prior fracture alcoholism and corticosteroid use There was an increase in the risk of any fracture within the first 5 years after a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and the first 10 years after a diagnosis of hypothyroidism Use of antithyroid drugs was associated with a significantly reduced fracture risk independently of the dose used odds ratio OR 079–084 2P 005 No effect of levothyroxine on fracture risk was present Thyroid surgery for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer were not associated with fracture risk A prior fracture alcoholism and corticosteroid use were significant risk factors for fractures Fracture risk is increased at the time of diagnosis of both hyper and hypothyroidism and this increase seems reversible Lowdose levothyroxine was not associated with fracture risk The effect of antithyroid drugs may be caused by the reduction in thyroid hormone levels
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