The use of retinoids, compounds similar to vitamin A, does not appear to raise fracture risks, Danish researchers have saidsay.

The study says that previously, retinoids in high doses, used to treat acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions, were associated with bone changes such as decreased bone mineral density.

According to the reports, researchers at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, led by Dr. Peter Vestergaard, used national registers to identify 124,655 patients with fractures during 2000, to match them to three people the same age and sex, but without a fracture, as well as to determine their retinoid usage.

Published in the Archives of Dermatology, the study finds neither systemic nor topical vitamin A analogues were associated with a change in fracture risk at any skeletal site.

The study authors say in a statement, "It thus seems that vitamin A analogues are safe in terms of fractures even at very high doses. Even though some studies have reported a decreased bone mineral density with high doses of vitamin A as retinol in dietary intake or as supplements, the decrease may not have been of such magnitude that it altered bone bio-mechanical competence."

(With inputs from Agencies)