Recurrent depressive disorder linked to lower bone density

Recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) in men is associated with lower bone density, a new collaborative study has found.

The use of anti-depressants was also associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), but this association was dependent on the person's weight and site of bone measurement.

Osteoporosis is a common disorder and an underlying factor in fragility fractures.

Especially in women, the menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Other risk factors include low levels of physical activity, smoking, low intake of calcium and vitamin D, as well as some medications and diseases.

The study, a part of the PhD project of researcher Paivi Rauma, appeared in the Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions.

The study analysed the association of single and recurrent MDD episodes and the use of antidepressants with bone density in men.

Data from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study, GOS, was analysed which is a large, ongoing, population-based osteoporosis study carried out in the Barwon Health hospital district in Australia.

Between 2006 and 2011, 928 men (aged 24-98 years) completed a comprehensive questionnaire and had BMD assessments at the forearm, spine, total hip and total body.

Nine percent of the study population had had a single MDD episode, and five percent had suffered from recurrent MDD.

Furthermore, seven percent of the study participants reported the use of antidepressants at the time of assessment.

Antidepressant use was associated with lower BMD only in lower-weight men and varied across the bone sites.

According to the study, recurrent major depression may increase the risk of osteoporosis in men.

Furthermore, the use of antidepressants should be taken into account as a potential risk factor of osteoporosis especially in men with a low body weight.