Diabetes drugs may raise fracture risk in women – TheGlobeAndMail.com

Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, sold under the brand names Avandia and Actos, seem to accelerate bone density loss and create a heightened threat of fracture among women – especially seniors – who have taken them over a long period of time. The same risk was not seen in men, or among women who took other drugs to manage diabetes.

Thiazolidinediones: Do harms outweigh benefits? – CMAJ Dec 10, 2008 (link to PDF file).

Based on 10 randomized controlled trials that lasted at least 12 months and involved over 13000 patients, Loke and colleagues found that thiazolidinediones were associated with a 45% increase in fractures. Consistent with previous reports, the risk appeared to be limited to women.

Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines

Published only once every five years, the Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada represent the best and most current evidence-based clinical practice data for healthcare professionals.

Statins, indication creep and risks for children and youth
CMAJ December 2, 2008; 179 (12).

Direct evidence for the safety and efficacy of statins in children and youth is limited. Approval from the Food and Drug Administration was based on data extrapolated from adult studies and on short-term studies of statin use in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia.

More studies are required before statins can be included in a Happy Meal.