Bone mineral density in postmenopausal depressed women and effect of antidepressant intake

Abstract

Depression is associated with some alteration in hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis that may be risk factor for decreased bone mineral density. The aim of the work is to investigate relationship between major depression and bone mineral density in women in the period of menopause. Comparison between the bone mineral densities in 40 elderly women with severe depression, in comparison to 30 healthy females who were matched for age , body mass index, age of menarche and number of pregnancies. The depression was assessed by the International classification of disease (ICD10). The severity of depression was assessed by the Beck depression inventory. The bone mineral density was measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) technique. They were measured at 2 different sites, the lumbar vertebrae and the neck of femur. The bone mineral density was significantly decreased at the neck of femur in the patients group versus the control group. The duration of illness and the severity of depression did not correlate with bone marrow density. However, non compliance on antidepressant treatment seemed to be a factor decreasing the bone mineral density at the lumbar vertebrae, together with increase the prevalence of osteoporosis. Depression might be associated with low bone mineral density. Non compliance on medication seemed to be a risk factor in reduced bone mineral density and increased prevalence of osteoporosis.