A 68-year-old female has been on omeprazole for 10 years. What adverse event is she at risk for due to long-term use?

Long-term use of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), has been associated with an increased risk of hip fractures. This connection stems from the potential effects that prolonged acid suppression can have on calcium absorption and bone health. Acidity in the gastrointestinal tract plays a critical role in calcium solubility; when this acidity is reduced over extended periods, calcium absorption may be compromised, contributing to decreased bone density and an elevated risk of fractures.

The specific group at risk includes older adults, who may already be more vulnerable to falls and fractures due to factors such as decreased bone density from aging alone. Therefore, for a 68-year-old female who has been taking omeprazole for a decade, the potential for developing hip fractures becomes a significant concern.

While there are various other potential adverse events associated with long-term PPI use, such as kidney disease or liver dysfunction, the linkage to hip fractures is particularly emphasized in studies of prolonged PPI therapy. This makes hip fractures the most relevant and immediate concern in this context.