# Ticagrelor was associated with lower fracture risk than clopidogrel in the dual anti-platelet regimen among patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

## TL;DR

Ticagrelor, a blood thinner, was linked to a lower risk of fractures compared to clopidogrel in heart patients undergoing a specific treatment.

## Contribution

This study shows ticagrelor reduces major osteoporotic fracture risk compared to clopidogrel in dual anti-platelet therapy.

## Key findings

- Ticagrelor users had 0.34% annual fracture risk versus 0.56% for clopidogrel users.
- Ticagrelor was associated with a 40% lower fracture risk (HR 0.60) compared to clopidogrel.
- Lower fracture risk with ticagrelor was consistent across different body regions.

## Abstract

Patients with coronary artery disease have increased fracture risks. P2Y12 inhibitors may impact fracture risks. We compared the fracture risks associated with ticagrelor and clopidogrel in dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT).

We identified all adults who underwent first-ever percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between 2010 and 2017 from a territory-wide PCI registry in Hong Kong. Following 1:1 propensity-score matching for baseline characteristics, patients were followed up till event occurrence, death, or 30 June 2022. Outcomes of interest were major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) identified by validated ICD-9-CM codes. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute the hazard ratio (HR) for MOF associated with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel use.

3018 ticagrelor users and 3018 clopidogrel users were identified after propensity-score matching (mean age: 61.4 years; 84.1% men). Upon median follow-up of 6.5 years, 59 ticagrelor users and 119 clopidogrel users sustained MOF (annualized fracture risks: 0.34% and 0.56%, respectively). Ticagrelor use was associated with lower risks of MOF (HR 0.60, 95%CI 0.44–0.83; p = 0.002). Consistent HRs were observed for fractures over vertebrae, hip and upper limbs. Subgroup analyses showed no interaction according to age, sex, presence of diabetes, presence of chronic kidney disease and prior fracture history.

Among adults who underwent first-ever PCI for ACS, ticagrelor use in the DAPT was associated with a lower risk of MOF compared with clopidogrel. Our results support the use of ticagrelor in the DAPT from the perspective of bone health.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40618-023-02205-1.