Statins do not strengthen bones, according to new findings.

Postmenopausal women who took statins for 3 years or more derived no benefits in either bone mineral density or a reduced risk of fractures.

These results come on the heels of studies published earlier this year suggesting that these popular drugs enhance bone formation, increase bone mineral density, and decrease fracture risk among postmenopausal women.

The studies were conducted as part of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a prospective, observational study of nearly 94,000 postmenopausal women enrolled at 40 centers across the U.S.

• Researchers compared fracture rates in the hip, wrist, lower arm, and other sites in 7,847 women who were taking statins with fracture rates in 85,876 women not taking the drugs.

• In a subset of women participating at the three sites with bone scanners available, they also studied bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and lumbar spine, as well as whole-body BMD.

• After an average follow-up of 2.5 years, no significant difference in BMD or fracture risk at any site between statin users and nonusers was found.

• Even in women who took statins for more than 3 years, there was no decrease in fracture risk.

Researchers state that although "They are good for hearts. Our findings indicate that they just may not be good for bones."

22nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Toronto, Canada, September, 2000