title: Association between beta-blockers and fracture risk: a Bayesian meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The association between beta-blockers (BB) and fracture risk is controversial, due largely to conflicting findings from previous studies. The present study sought to evaluate the effect of BB on fracture risk by using a Bayesian meta-analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We systematically retrieved 13 observational studies on the association between BB use and fracture risk. This meta-analysis involved more than 907,000 men and women with mean/median age of individual studies ranging from 43 to 81 years. We used a hierarchical Bayesian random effects model to synthesize the results. BB use was associated with an average 17% reduction in the risk of any fracture (risk ratio [RR] 0.83; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.71-0.93), hip fracture (RR 0.83; 95% CrI: 0.70-0.92) and vertebral fracture (RR 0.81; 95% CrI: 0.61-0.99). The probability that BB use reduces fracture risk by at least 10% was 0.91.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beta-blockers are associated with reduced risk of fracture in older adults, but the effect size is likely to be modest.
authors: Division of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia.
authors: Shuman
authors: S
authors: Yang
authors: Nguyen D
authors: ND
authors: Nguyen
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Eisman
authors: Tuan V
authors: TV
authors: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists