Statins associated with increased bone loss in early postmenopausal women

This study was published in Osteoporosis International 2002 Jul;13(7):537-41

Study title and authors:
Relation of statin use and bone loss: a prospective population-based cohort study in early postmenopausal women.

Sirola J, Sirola J, Honkanen R, Kröger H, Jurvelin JS, Mäenpää P, Saarikoski S.
University of Kuopio, Research Institute of Public Health, Finland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12111013

This study assessed the effects of statin use on the change in bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women. The study measured annual change in spine and thigh bone mineral density in 620 women aged 53-64 years who were divided into four groups:
Group 1: 55 who had continuous use of statins
Group 2: 63 who had occasional statin use.
Group 3: 142 non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol.
Group 4: 360 non-users of statins who did not have "high" cholesterol.

The study found:
(a) In all groups spine bone mineral density increased whereas thigh bone mineral density decreased.
(b) Both groups of non-users had higher increases in spine bone mineral density compared to the groups of statin users. (High cholesterol non-users had highest increase).
(c) Both groups of non-users had smaller decreases in thigh bone mineral density compared to the groups of statin users. (High cholesterol non-users had smallest decrease).
(d) The non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol had a 79% higher increase in spine bone mineral density compared to the continuous statin users.
(e) The non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol had a 34% smaller decrease in thigh bone mineral density compared to the continuous statin users.

The results from the study suggest statin use is associated with increased bone loss in early postmenopausal women.

An interesting finding noted by the researchers is the potential for "high" cholesterol itself to be protective against osteoporosis and fractures, as the smallest annual bone loss and greatest gain of lumbar bone were seen in those with "high" cholesterol.

Links to other studies:
Statins and the risk of bone fracture in postmenopausal women
Statin use increases the risk of osteoarthritis and joint pain by 26%
Statin use linked to musculoskeletal diseases, joint pain and injuries