The Association of Beta-Blocker Use and Bone Mineral Density Level in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Osteoporosis results in increasing morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The medication for treatment has been limited. There is evidence that beta-blockers could increase bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce the risk of fracture in non-dialysis patients, however, a study in hemodialysis patients has not been conducted. This study aims to determine the association between beta-blocker use and bone mineral density level in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in hemodialysis patients at Thammasat University Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020. A patient receiving a beta-blocker ≥ 20 weeks was defined as a beta-blocker user. The association between beta-blocker use and BMD levels was determined by univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Of the 128 patients receiving hemodialysis, 71 were beta-blocker users and 57 were non-beta-blocker users (control group). The incidence of osteoporosis in hemodialysis patients was 50%. There was no significant difference in the median BMD between the control and the beta-blocker groups of the lumbar spine (0.93 vs. 0.91, p = 0.88), femoral neck (0.59 vs. 0.57, p = 0.21), total hip (0.73 vs. 0.70, p = 0.38), and 1/3 radius (0.68 vs. 0.64, p = 0.40). The univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the beta-blocker used was not associated with BMD. In the subgroup analysis, the beta-1 selective blocker used was associated with lower BMD of the femoral neck but not within the total spine, total hip, and 1/3 radius. The multivariate logistic regression showed that the factors of age ≥ 65 years (aOR 3.31 (1.25–8.80), p = 0.02), female sex (aOR 4.13 (1.68–10.14), p = 0.002), lower BMI (aOR 0.89 (0.81–0.98), p = 0.02), and ALP > 120 U/L (aOR 3.88 (1.33–11.32), p = 0.01) were independently associated with osteoporosis in hemodialysis patients. Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients, beta-blocker use was not associated with BMD levels, however a beta-1 selective blocker used was associated with lower BMD in the femoral neck.