Atlanta—Thiazide diuretics to treat hypertension appear to be associated with lower risk of hip and pelvic fractures, as compared with some other antihypertensive medications, according to a report based on further examination of earlier randomized clinical trial data. The article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine examined the effects of major classes of blood pressure–lowering medications on the incidence of hospitalization for hip and pelvic fractures. For the study, a team led by Kaiser Permanente of Georgia researchers employed Veterans Affairs and Medicare claims data along with data from the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT). Study authors report a 21% lower risk of hip and pelvic fractures associated with the thiazide-type diuretic chlorthalidone compared with either lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker.

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