title: Influence of vitamin D administration on bone ultrasound measurements in patients on anticonvulsant therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of the study was to evaluate bone mass status (as measured by bone ultrasound) in patients on anticonvulsant therapy, and the influence that Vitamin D administration exerts over it.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured and compared the basal serum levels of 25(OH)D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and phalangeal bone ultrasound (Ad-SOS), in 30 adult patients who were taking anticonvulsant drugs, with a control group of similar age and sex. We then gave the patients a large oral dose of 3 mg (120.000 UI) of 25(OH)D3, and repeated the measurements after one month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Basal 25(OH)D3 and Ad-SOS values were significantly lower, and PTH values significantly higher (P< 0.0001 in all), in the patient group. The low Ad-SOS values for the patients were independent of the treatment, but directly related to basal 25(OH)D3 levels (r = 0.45, P<0.01). There was a negative association between PTH and 25(OH)D3 (r = -0.64, P<0.0001), and no correlation between PTH y Ad-SOS (r = -0.20, p NS). After ingestion of the large dose of the vitamin D, the patient group registered a significant (P<0.0001) increase in 25(OH)D3 levels, their Ad-SOS values increased (P<0.0001) nearly to the mean basal value of the control group, and PTH decreased significantly (P<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings justify the need to assure adequate vitamin D intake in patients being treated with anticonvulsants, independently of the treatment, age, sex, and activity status, in order to prevent osteomalacia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing at the University of Extremadura, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pedrera
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Canal
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carvajal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Postigo
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rico
mesh_terms: D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010018:Osteomalacia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D002112:Calcifediol