title: Bone turnover markers in epileptic patients under chronic valproate therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of chronic valproic acid administration on bone health have been a matter of concern and controversy. In this study, the bone status following valproate intake was assessed by using several bone-related biochemical markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, 62 epileptic patients and 40 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled. The patients had been under chronic valproate therapy (758 ± 29 mg/day) for at least the past 6 months, without any vitamin D/or calcium supplementation. Serum markers of bone turnover (carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BALP]), calcium, phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels were measured in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The markers of bone turnover as well as other measured bone biochemical parameters did not statistically differ between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Valproate therapy at the mentioned doses does not seem to change bone turnover in adult epileptic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zare
authors.forename: Mohammad R A
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ghazvini
authors.forename: Maseumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dashti
authors.forename: Mohammad R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.forename: Amir M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alavi-Naeini
keywords: Bone turnover markers; epilepsy; valproate sodium