(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A common form of antidepressants may lead to
weaker bones among older men and women.
The link was seen in two new studies, and researchers believe the connection
may lie in the medication's role in inhibiting the protein that transports
serotonin. The protein is known to play a role in depression and sleep. Now,
studies also show it can occur in the bone as well, where researchers
speculate inhibiting it could interfere with cells responsible for breaking
down and rebuilding bone.
The first study was conducted by researchers from the University of
Minnesota in about 2,700 women who were taking either SSRIs, another type of
antidepressant known as tricyclics, or no antidepressants at all. Women
taking SSRIs had lower bone mineral density of the hip than women taking
tricyclics or no antidepressants.
Similar results were seen in the second study, which involved nearly 6,000
men, including those taking SSRIs, tricyclics, another antidepressant called
trazodone, or no antidepressants. Researchers from the Oregon Health &
Sciences University in Portland found men taking SSRIs had lower bone
mineral density than all the other groups.
Statistics show SSRIs are the most prevalent type of antidepressants used
today, accounting for about 62 percent of all prescriptions for these types
of drugs. They are often prescribed for older people, who are also at risk
for bone loss.
"Because SSRI use is prevalent in the general population, our findings have
a potentially important public health impact," write the authors of the
second study. "If confirmed, people using SSRIs might be targeted for
osteoporosis screening and preventive intervention."
A fellow researcher writing in an accompanying editorial agrees, noting many
good medications exist to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis. For some
people, reports Kenneth Saag, M.D., M.Sc., from the University of Alabama at
Birmingham, that might be better than foregoing needed medication to treat
depression.
SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007;167:1240-1245, 1246-1251,
1231-1232
