Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Prescribing of Medication to Prevent Glucocorticoid Harms in Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Cross‐Sectional Study and Two Emulated Target Trials in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum
Main finding · Fragility fractureResult — go to the resultRisk difference 0.92 % points 95% CI 0.56%–1.27%Authors' conclusion
Rates of prescribing to mitigate GC harms are higher than previously reported. Bisphosphonates are associated with approximately one less fragility fracture per year for every 100 people treated. Gastro-prophylaxis is not associated with reduced risk of GI ulceration/bleeding
Study context
- Population
- Individuals aged ≥50 years with a coded polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) diagnosis (January 2010 to March 2022) prescribed glucocorticoid (GCs) within 21 days of the first PMR code, Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum
- Participants
- >40,000 individuals
- Exposure
- Bisphosphonates vs no bisphosphonates; PPIs/H2RAs vs none
- Outcome
- Fragility fracture (bisphosphonates); GI ulceration/bleeding (PPIs/H2RAs)
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailstarget trial emulation, targeted maximum likelihood estimation, adjusted for confounders
- Target trial emulation
- Targeted maximum likelihood estimation
- Adjusted for confounders
Main finding
Fragility fracture
Risk difference
0.92 % points
95% CI 0.56%–1.27%
By group
No bisphosphonatesvs Bisphosphonates
risk difference 0.92 % points (95% CI 0.56%–1.27%)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Serious gastrointestinal (GI) events (GI ulceration/bleeding) with PPIs/H2RAs
- Prescribing gastroprotective medications was not associated with serious GI events
Coprescribing rates
- Coprescribed bisphosphonates
- 67.2%
- Coprescribed PPIs/H2RAs
- 78.6%
- Male patients and those in more deprived areas less likely to receive bisphosphonates
Original publication
Prescribing of Medication to Prevent Glucocorticoid Harms in Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Cross‐Sectional Study and Two Emulated Target Trials in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 5 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →