Association between bipolar affective disorder, use of antidepressants and osteoporosis

Introduction/Objective Osteoporosis is one of the most common comorbid disorders in depressive mood disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the use of antidepressants and osteoporosis in patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). Methods The study included 73 inpatients, aged 50-72 years, male and female, hospitalized with a depressive episode of BPAD from 2016 to 2020 at the Clinic of Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, divided into two groups: a) the first group (40) was treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in combination with mood stabilizer (lithium carbonate/lamotrigine); b) the second group (33) was treated with mood stabilizer only. Study included two control groups as well. Clinical measurements of bone mineral density at lumbar spine and hip was made using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. CrossLaps and levels of calcium and vitamin D were collected from blood samples. The data was analyzed by the analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results Osteoporosis was registered in 25% of patients in the first group and in 18% of patients in the second group, while osteopenia was observed within 40% of patients in the first group and in 37% of patients in the second group. There was significant difference in value of CrossLaps, and the level of 25(OH)D vitamin between the control groups and the first two groups, as well as in prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Conclusion Depressive episodes in BPAD is connected with higher prevalence of osteoporosis. Patients treated with SSRIs have higher prevalence of osteoporosis than patients treated with mood stabilizers only.