Falls and 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors

In a recent issue of the ARCHIVES,¹ we reported lower fracture risk among women taking 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) for hypercholesterolemia. The research was prompted by the finding that statins increase bone morphogenetic protein-2, leading to osteoblast differentiation and bone formation.² The substantial 60% reduction in fracture risk we reported persisted after adjusting for potential confounders and was greater than expected from increases observed in bone mineral density alone.