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Thiazide diuretics are known to decrease urinary calcium excretion. In epidemiologic studies, diuretic therapy has been associated with a lower risk for hip fracture. Researchers in Seattle reported the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg or 25 mg daily) in 320 normotensive adults (age range, 60 to 79) with normal bone-mineral density (BMD).
After 3 years of treatment, there was a significant dose-related change from baseline in mean BMD at the hip: It decreased by 0.3 percent in subjects taking placebo but increased by 0.5 percent and by 0.6 percent for subjects assigned to 12.5-mg and 25-mg hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. No significant difference was noted among groups for spi…