Risk of Hip Fractures in Men with Alpha-Blockers: A Nationwide Study Base on Claim Registry

BACKGROUND: Alpha-blocker can result in falling and fractures because of adverse effect such as orthostatic hypotension due to vasodilatory effect. We investigated the association between the alpha-blocker and the risk of osteoporotic hip fractures using a nationwide claim database. METHODS: We identified 1,051,651 men 65 years of age or older who had prescription records of alpha-blocker from nationwide medical claim database, from 2007 to 2012. Alpha-blockers were classified as non-specific general (NSG), non-specific slow-release (NSSR), uro-specific general (USG), and uro-specific slow release (USSR). RESULTS: Total of 6,553 hip fractures were observed. The incidences of hip fracture within 1 year were higher than those of the reference periods in all type of alpha-blocker. Hazard ratio peaked at early period of alpha-blocker, and decreased with time, regardless of type of alpha-blocker. CONCLUSIONS: Use of alpha-blocker is associated with increased risk of hip fracture, especially in early use.