Use of bisphosphonates among women and risk of atrial fibrillation and flutter: population based case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between atrial fibrillation and flutter and use of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis among women.


METHODS
Population based case-control study, using medical databases from Denmark.


METHODS
Northern Denmark.


METHODS
13 586 patients with atrial fibrillation and flutter and 68 054 population controls, all with complete hospital and prescription history.


METHODS
Adjusted relative risk of atrial fibrillation and flutter.


RESULTS
435 cases (3.2%) and 1958 population controls (2.9%) were current users of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. Etidronate and alendronate were used with almost the same frequency among cases and controls. The adjusted relative risk of current use of bisphosphonates compared with non-use was 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.84 to 1.07). New users had a relative risk of 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.49 to 1.16), broadly similar to the estimate for continuing users (relative risk 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.09). The relative risk estimates were independent of number of prescriptions and the position of the atrial fibrillation and flutter diagnosis in the discharge record, and were similar for inpatients and outpatients.


CONCLUSIONS
No evidence was found that use of bisphosphonates increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and flutter.
Sørensen
Henrik Toft
HT
Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. hts@dce.au.dk
Christensen
Steffen
S
Mehnert
Frank
F
Pedersen
Lars
L
Chapurlat
Roland D
RD
Cummings
Steven R
SR
Baron
John A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates