GLP-1 drugs linked to higher fracture risk, osteoporosis and gout, new studies suggest

GLP-1 medications specified arsenic Ozempic and Wegovy person transformed attraction for benignant 2 diabetes and obesity — but caller probe suggests doctors whitethorn request to wage person attraction to bony health, particularly successful older patients taking the drugs.

Older adults with benignant 2 diabetes who started GLP-1s had an 11% higher hazard of fragility fractures compared to those taking different diabetes medications, a survey published successful February successful the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found.

Dr. Michal Kasher Meron, an endocrinologist astatine Meir Medical Center successful Israel and pb writer of the study, said the comparative summation whitethorn dependable small, but it carries value for an at-risk population.

"Both older property and benignant 2 diabetes are autarkic hazard factors for fragility fractures," Kasher Meron told Fox News Digital. "This is simply a colonisation that deserves peculiar attention."

A caller survey suggests older adults with benignant 2 diabetes taking GLP-1 medications whitethorn look accrued fracture risk. (iStock)

Fragility fractures are breaks from insignificant falls oregon regular activity, often linked to osteoporosis, and tin pb to hospitalization, nonaccomplishment of independency and adjacent accrued mortality successful older adults, Kasher Meron noted.

The survey followed much than 46,000 adults 65 and older for astir 3 years. After adjustments, GLP-1 users had a humble but statistically important summation successful fracture risk.

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Previous probe successful younger patients utilizing older GLP-1s did not amusement accrued fracture risk, but newer, much potent versions are present wide prescribed to older adults, Kasher Meron noted.

"In older adults treated with modern medications, the fracture hazard representation looks antithetic and warrants adjacent attention," she said.

Separate probe recovered somewhat higher rates of osteoporosis and gout among adults utilizing GLP-1s. (iStock)

The study, however, was observational, meaning it shows an relation but not causation. Researchers were incapable to find whether the hazard was driven by value loss, changes successful diet, musculus loss, oregon a nonstop effect connected bone.

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Nonetheless, Kasher Meron says, "Bone wellness should beryllium assessed earlier starting these medications successful older patients — not arsenic an afterthought."

The findings travel arsenic abstracted probe presented astatine the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' yearly gathering this period raised further bony wellness concerns.

In a ample investigation of much than 146,000 adults with obesity and benignant 2 diabetes, GLP-1 users were recovered to person a 29% higher comparative hazard of osteoporosis implicit 5 years compared to nonusers, according to reports. 

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Rates of gout were besides somewhat higher, affecting 7.4% of GLP-1 users compared to 6.6% of nonusers — astir a 12% comparative increase.

Experts urge bony density screening for older adults taking GLP-1 medications. (iStock)

Osteomalacia, a softening of the bones, was uncommon but occurred astir doubly arsenic often successful GLP-1 users, according to the study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed. It was besides observational, showing lone an association. Fox News Digital has reached retired to the researcher for comment.

Several mechanisms could beryllium astatine play, experts say. GLP-1 medications suppress appetite and tin pb to accelerated value loss. Significant value nonaccomplishment is known to trim bony density, partially due to the fact that little mechanical load is placed connected the skeleton. 

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"It’s the aforesaid thought arsenic erstwhile we ever perceive astir astronauts going up into space, and they’re successful a gravity-zero situation for excessively long," pb writer Dr. John Horneff, an subordinate prof of orthopedic country astatine the University of Pennsylvania, told NBC News. "There’s thing forcing their bones to benignant of clasp their value anymore. And a batch of those astronauts travel backmost with debased bony density."

Additionally, eating less calories whitethorn besides mean little intake of calcium, vitamin D and macromolecule — nutrients captious for bony strength.

GLP-1 medications specified arsenic Ozempic and Wegovy are wide utilized to dainty benignant 2 diabetes and obesity. (iStock)

Rapid value nonaccomplishment tin besides temporarily summation uric acerb levels, a byproduct of insubstantial breakdown, which whitethorn explicate the uptick successful gout cases.

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Despite the findings, experts accidental the results should not discourage due usage of GLP-1 medications, which person proven benefits for humor sweetener control, value nonaccomplishment and cardiovascular hazard reduction.

In summation to bony density screening, experts accidental patients should guarantee capable nutrition and absorption grooming to assistance sphere musculus and bony during value loss.

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A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, which manufactures GLP-1 medications, said the institution prioritizes diligent safety, works intimately with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and welcomes autarkic probe into its products.

Experts besides urge due nutrition and absorption grooming to assistance sphere musculus and bony wellness during value loss. (iStock)

The known risks and benefits of the drugs are reflected successful the existent FDA-approved labeling, Liz Skrbkova, caput of U.S. media relations for Novo Nordisk, told Fox News Digital. She emphasized that semaglutide has demonstrated cardiovascular, kidney and liver benefits erstwhile utilized nether aesculapian supervision.

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"Osteoporosis is simply a analyzable information that develops implicit galore years arsenic a effect of interdependent hazard factors," Skrbkova added.

Fox News Digital's Melissa Rudy contributed reporting.

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