Effect of thiazide on rates of bone mineral loss: a longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of thiazide diuretic drugs on rates of bone mineral loss.


METHODS
Longitudinal, observational study with a mean follow up of five years.


METHODS
Hawaii Osteoporosis Center, Honolulu.


METHODS
1017 Japanese-American men born between 1900 and 1920, of whom 378 were treated for hypertension (study group) and 639 did not have hypertension (control group).


METHODS
Thiazide diuretics were taken by 325 men for a mean of 11.9 years; 53 men took antihypertensive drugs other than thiazides.


METHODS
Rate of bone loss estimated from serial photon absorptiometric scanning at three skeletal sites (calcaneus, distal radius, and proximal radius).


RESULTS
Rates of bone loss at all three sites were significantly reduced among thiazide users when compared with controls. The reductions in loss rate ranged from 28.8% (p = 0.02) (distal radius) to 49.2% (p = 0.0005) (calcaneus) relative to the controls. At all three sites the men taking other antihypertensive drugs had faster loss rates (22.6-43.1%) than those of the controls but the difference was significant only for the distal radius.


CONCLUSIONS
Thiazide diuretics slow the rate of bone loss in elderly men.
Wasnich
R
R
Hawaii Osteoporosis Center, Honolulu 96814.
Davis
J
J
Ross
P
P
Vogel
J
J
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D004232:Diuretics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors