Abstract
Objective
To determine bone mass using quantitative phalangeal bone ultrasound in institutionalized schizophrenic patients under chronic treatment with antipsychotic drugs.
Methods
A total of 73 patients with schizophrenia (25 women, mean age 59.84 ± 17.01 years; 48 men, mean age 61.89 ± 12.95 years) and 73 healthy subjects (25 women, mean age 60.37 ± 17.16 years; 48 men, mean age 61.24 ± 13.09 years) participated in the study. Bone status was assessed using an ultrasound device that measures the amplitude‐dependent speed of sound (Ad‐SoS) in metres per second. Measurements were made on the phalanges (II–V) of the non‐dominant hand, and the mean value was computed.
Results
The schizophrenic women had higher levels of prolactin (PRL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (AlPh), and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) (all p < 0.0001), and lower 25‐hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D3) levels (p < 0.0001) and Ad‐SoS values (p < 0.05) than controls. Ad‐SoS was higher in schizophrenic men (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Schizophrenic women in treatment with antipsychotic drugs had a loss of phalangeal bone mass that was associated with the levels of vitamin D or PTH, and increased bone turnover. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.