Mechanisms of Decreased Bone Mineral Density and Altered Bone Metabolism Induced by Antiepileptic Drugs.
- Author:
Sook Hui KIM
1
;
Hyang Woon LEE
;
Jin Hwa LEE
;
Yong Jae KIM
;
Kyoung Gyu CHOI
;
Hye Won JEONG
;
Eun Suk KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University and Ewha Medical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea. leeh@ewha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Antiepileptic drugs;
Bone mineral density;
Bone metabolism;
Osteoporosis;
Bone turnover
- MeSH:
Anticonvulsants*;
Bone Density*;
Calcaneus;
Calcium;
Epilepsy;
Female;
Humans;
Metabolism*;
Osteocalcin;
Osteoporosis;
Parathyroid Hormone;
Phenobarbital;
Phenytoin;
Vitamin D
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
2005;23(6):758-764
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on bone metabolism have been reported in epilepsy patients, however the underlying mechanisms have yet to be completely understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in bone mineral density (BMD) in epilepsy patients with long-term AED treatment, and also to investigate the underlying mechanisms related to those abnormalities. METHODS: BMD was measured by densitometer using dual-energy X-ray absorptionmetry (Lunar PIXI) at the right calcaneus in both patients who had already taken AEDs longer than 6 months, and in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. A total of 80 patients (45 women and 35 men) were recruited for the former group, and 29 (11 women and 18 men) for the latter group. In the latter group, BMD and markers for bone metabolism were measured before and after 6 months of AED treatment including serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), total and ionized calcium, osteocalcin, 25-(OH) vitamin D, and urine pyrilinks. RESULTS: BMD decreased in epileptic women compared to the control group (p=0.021). Decreased BMD was most prominent in patients with phenytoin or phenobarbital. Osteocalcin and PTH levels increased after 6 months of AED therapy (p=0.002 and p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: BMD decreased in patients with epilepsy, especially in women even in premenopausal age, in those who are taking phenytoin or phenobarbital. AEDs increase bone turnover, which may relate to these alterations in bone mass and bone metabolism.
