Effects of elevated serum prolactin on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in female patients with schizophrenia: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to prospectively examine differential effects of sustained "high" and "low" serum prolactin levels on bone mineral density and peripheral markers of bone metabolism.


METHODS
A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer was used to measure bone mineral density. Peripheral markers of bone formation and resorption were used to measure bone metabolism in 14 Caucasian female patients with schizophrenia treated with risperidone or olanzapine monotherapy over 12 months.


RESULTS
Analyses of variance failed to show an association between elevated prolactin and bone mineral loss over time. However, higher rates of bone formation and resorption were seen in those with high prolactin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The results failed to show that elevated prolactin accelerates bone mineral density loss. However, sustained hyperprolactinemia did have an impact on the rate of bone metabolism. Perhaps higher prolactin levels over longer time periods are necessary before the metabolic processes become uncoupled, leading to bone mineral density loss.
Abraham
George
G
Arthur P. Noyes Research Foundation, 1001 Sterigere Street, Norristown, PA 19401, USA.
Paing
Wynn Wynn
WW
Kaminski
Joanne
J
Joseph
Ashok
A
Kohegyi
Eva
E
Josiassen
Richard C
RC
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D011388:Prolactin