Nordström P, et al. - From all individuals living in Sweden aged ≥ 50 years in 2005 (n = 3,341,706), four cohorts were formed in order to assess correlations between the use of short-acting and long-acting hypnotics and the risk of fracture. Among users of hypnotics, in comparison with that in matched controls, the risk of fracture was greatest in the 90 days prior to the beginning of treatment, both for propiomazine and z-drugs. Moreover, following the beginning of treatment with propiomazine and z-drugs, this risk was significantly decreased and it persisted to be the first year after the last prescribed dose both for propiomazine and z-drugs. In the sibling cohorts, the pattern was comparable, with the highest risk of fracture observed in the 90 days prior to the treatment with hypnotics was begun. Hence, the use of short-acting and long-acting hypnotics was concluded to be correlated with a progressed risk of fracture. Moreover, this risk was highest prior to the beginning of treatment and continued following the completion of therapy. Thus, the results imply that the heightened risk during treatment is affected by other factors like an underlying disease.