Study should have reported more data about associated diseases

doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7304.112

BMJ 2001;323:112 ( 14 July )

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Study should have reported more data about associated diseases

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR $---$ In reporting their case-control study with 245 incident hip fractures, Pierfitte et al conclude that use of benzodiazepinesdoes not confer any added risk.¹ Unusually, plasma benzodiazepineconcentrations weremeasured.

Fracture is considered to be the result of either an increased tendency to fall or an increased tendency to fracture, or both,so it would have been appropriate to gather information on historyof fall. Use of benzodiazepines may lead to hip fracture by increasingthe risk of falling and by affecting reaction time rather thanby an intrinsic effect on bone. Did the authors obtain data onosteoporosis? How many patients were taking a drug prescribedbecause ofosteoporosis?

The authors dismiss the role of dose and elimination half life. In contrast, we reported that dose and elimination of benzodiazepineshave an independent and additive effect to increase the risk offalls² and hip fracture.³ In addition, in . . . [Full text of this article]

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