Beta-blockers increase bone mineral density.

UNLABELLED: Authors of animal studies suggest that beta-blockers stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption. On the other hand, data in humans are limited and conflicting results exist in literature. We conducted a prospective case-control study in order to investigate the effects of beta-blockers on bone mineral density in the elderly population. None of the patients were receiving anti-resorptive medicine. Bone mineral density of 50 beta-blocker users was significantly greater at all measured skeletal sites compared with 100 nonusers. Bone mineral density for total hip and spine (beta-blocker users and nonusers) were, 0.85 +/- 0.13, 0.80 +/- 0.11 and 0.90 +/- 0.15, 0.83 +/- 0.12, respectively. Our results suggest that use of beta-blockers is associated with an increase in bone mineral density. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, LEVEL III (case control study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of the levels of evidence.