ASPIRIN AND NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUG-USE IN ELDERLY WOMEN -EFFECTS ON A MARKER OF BONE-RESORPTION

Objective. Epidemiological studies suggest nonsteroidal antiinflammato ry drug (NSAID) and aspirin use is associated with a modest increase i n bone mineral density of the hip and lumbar spine. The ability of NSA ID to block prostaglandin E-2 production has been shown to impair oste oclast activity in animal models. To determine if regular use of these compounds inhibits bone resorption, we assessed NSAID or aspirin use and N-telopeptide crosslink excretion in elderly postmenopausal women. Methods, N-telopeptide crosslink excretion was assessed from a consec utive sample of 499 women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, ag e > 65 years, who provided a morning urine sample. Questionnaire, exam ination, and bone mineral density data were obtained at the same visit . Results, In unadjusted models, daily use of NSAID or aspirin was ass ociated with a reduction of 12.5% (95% CI 0.5, 24.5) in N-telopeptide crosslink excretion (p < 0.05). After adjustment for potential confoun ders, N-telopeptide crosslink excretion was -4.8% (95% CI-24.4, 14.8) in NSAID users and +7.6% (-9.3, 24.5) in aspirin users compared to non users. Conclusion. Regular use of either NSAID or aspirin by elderly w omen was not associated with reduction in N-telopeptide crosslink excr etion compared to nonusers.