Achilles Tendinitis, Tendon Rupture, and Fluoroquinolones

In a case-crossover study, fluoroquinolones significantly increased the risk for Achilles tendinitis; older age, lower body-mass index, and concurrent glucocorticoid use further amplified such risk.

Fluoroquinolones are among the most frequently prescribed antibiotics for adults in the U.S. Although for several decades these agents have been known to increase the risk for tendinitis, modulating patient factors have not been defined. To explore this issue, researchers used records from The Health Improvement Network database (which contains information on 6.4 million patients in the U.K.) to perform a case-crossover study in which the development of Achilles tendinitis and tendon rupture was cross-tabulated with fluoroquinolone use.

Between January 1986 and November 2009, 28,907 cases of Achilles tendinitis and 7685 cases of tendon rupture were diagnosed. Use of fluoroquinolones was associated with increased risk for both Achilles tendin…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)