Do SSRIs play a role in decreasing bone mineral density?
Osteoporosis is expected to increase as our population pyramid shifts toward old age. It is associated with increased risk of fractures, leading to complications of limitation of ambulation, loss of independence, and chronic pain. Depression is also a common occurrence in the elderly population. Currently, up to 35% of residents in long term care may experience either major depression or clinically significant depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin receptor inhibitors constitute 62% of all antidepressant drug prescribing. Recently, serotonin transporters have been described in bone, raising the question of whether medications that block serotonin reuptake could affect bone metabolism and ultimately affect osteoporosis-related fractures. Current evidence suggests that depression, particularly in the setting of selective serotonin receptor inhibitors use, should be considered as an addition to the list of risk factors prompting clinicians to evaluate bone health status.
Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center and UCLA Division of Geriatric Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Fonda
F
Chen
Theodore J
TJ
Hahn
Nancy T
NT
Weintraub
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors