Laxative use and incident falls, fractures and change in bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: results from the Women's Health Initiative.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Laxatives are among the most widely used over-the-counter medications in the United States but studies examining their potential hazardous side effects are sparse. Associations between laxative use and risk for fractures and change in bone mineral density [BMD] have not previously been investigated.

Methods

This prospective analysis included 161,808 postmenopausal women (8907 users and 151,497 nonusers of laxatives) enrolled in the WHI Observational Study and Clinical Trials. Women were recruited from October 1, 1993, to December 31, 1998, at 40 clinical centers in the United States and were eligible if they were 50 to 79 years old and were postmenopausal at the time of enrollment. Medication inventories were obtained during in-person interviews at baseline and at

SUBMITTER: Haring B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3645973 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature