Secondary osteoporosis induced by anticoagulant drugs?

Citation
H. Riess et al., Secondary osteoporosis induced by anticoagulant drugs?, ORTHOPADE, 30(7), 2001, pp. 451-455
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Ortopedics, Rehabilitation & Sport Medicine
Journal title
ORTHOPADE
ISSN journal
00854530 → ACNP
Volume
30
Issue
7
Year of publication
2001
Pages
451 - 455
Database
ISI
SICI code
0085-4530(200107)30:7<451:SOIBAD>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
Generalized osteoporosis is a result of different causes and pathogenic mec hanisms, which often combine forces to become clinically relevant. Among th e different exogenic factors, drugs play an important role, frequently in c onnection with other factors such as immobilization or pregnancy. It has be en suggested that anticoagulation therapy with heparins or coumarins may in duce osteoporotic changes or enhance the development of osteoporosis for ot her reasons. According to in vitro experiments, preclinical trials, and cli nical investigations, it seems reasonable to assume that heparins induce in creased bone loss in a time- and dose-related manner. Low-molecular-weight heparins most likely have less effect on bone turnover when compared to unf ractionated heparin. Oral anticoagulation therapy with vitamin K-antagonist s is believed to have a weak effect on induction of osteoporosis, but clini cal studies are contradictory. In spite of the fact that a relevant effect of these drugs on the induction of osteoporosis is questionable, it must be taken into consideration that anticoagulant drugs may enhance the negative effects on bone density of other risk factors capable of inducing osteopor osis such as immobilization, pregnancy, or endocrinological disorders.