In people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), short-term use of pantoprazole therapy did not affect the bone parameters and was found to be safe for the skeleton.

This study was carried to explore bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), and bone turnover in patients with GERD not previously exposed to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) vs. healthy age-matched controls. Furthermore, it aimed to determine whether these parameters were influenced by therapy with the PPI pantoprazole for three months.

In total, 17 GERD subjects (5 females/12 males) not previously exposed to PPI, and 17 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited. With the help of dual X-ray absorptiometry, the BMD at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, total hip, and TBS at the lumbar spine (the marker of bone microarchitecture) were estimated. The markers of calcium homeostasis and bone turnover, and gastric hormones were examined. The same parameters were estimated following three months of therapy with the PPI pantoprazole.

The GERD people (age 32–73 years) demonstrated a considerably reduced TBS at baseline when compared to controls (1.31± 0.11 vs. 1.43 ± 0.07). The total hip and femoral neck BMD were reduced (though not significant) in GERD people when compared to controls. C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) was non-significantly elevated in GERD subjects at baseline. Following three months, alterations in CTX, BMD, and TBS did not differ between the groups.

PPI-naive GERD patients were found to have a bone impairment that may translate to greater fracture risk. No profound alterations in TBS, BMD, or bone turnover markers were noted after three months of therapy with pantoprazole, indicating that short-term pantoprazole therapy is safe in a skeletal health context.