Neuropathic Pain Medication May Increase Risk of Hip Fracture: Study Finds - Video

Gabapentinoid use was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures, especially in patients who were frail or had chronic kidney disease, according to a study published in JAMA Network. The researchers tracked patients hospitalized for hip fractures in Victoria, Australia from March 2013 through June 2018, who had used gabapentinoids before the injury.

Study co-author and Director of the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS) at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Simon Bell, said gabapentinoids can be effective for neuropathic pain but can also result in adverse events including dizziness, gait disturbance and balance disorder. The researchers analysed the data for 28,293 patients who experienced hip fractures across a five-year period.

“Our results showed patients had 30 per cent increased odds of suffering a hip fracture within two months of being dispensed a gabapentinoid medication,” Professor Bell said.

“The link between gabapentinoids and hip fractures existed across different age groups but the odds of hip fracture was higher among patients who were frailer or had chronic kidney disease, so these should be important considerations when deciding when to prescribe gabapentinoids.”

Lead author of the study and CMUS PhD candidate Miriam Leung, said the study highlights that caution is needed before prescribing gabapentinoids, especially for people who are prone to falls and fractures.

“Our findings highlight the importance of assessing each patient’s risk before prescribing gabapentinoids,” Ms Leung said.

Reference: Leung MTY, Turner JP, Marquina C, et al. Gabapentinoids and Risk of Hip Fracture. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(11):e2444488. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.44488