Osteoporosis in a 61 Year-old Male with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

This article describes a patient who developed osteoporosis with significant risk of fracture after chronic therapy with high dose proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Recent research has shown evidence of a detrimental effect of PPI therapy on bone mineral density causing osteoporosis and a subsequent increase in fracture risk. Osteoporosis affects many people in the United States and its associated hip fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. While PPIs are commonly used for the effective treatment of GERD, they should be prescribed with caution and awareness of the potential for bone demineralization.