Use of SSRIs may Impact Bone Density in Adolescent and Young Women with Anorexia Nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
Alterations in serotonin impact bone metabolism in animal models, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been associated with increased fracture risk in older adults. SSRIs are commonly used in anorexia nervosa (AN), a condition that predisposes to low bone mineral density (BMD). Our objective was to determine whether SSRI use is associated with low BMD in AN.


METHODS
We examined Z-scores for spine, hip and whole body (WB) BMD, spine bone mineral apparent density and WBBMC/height (Ht) in females with AN 12-21 years old who had never been on SSRIs, on SSRIs for <6 months (<6M) or >6 months (>6M).


RESULTS
Subjects on SSRIs for >6M had lower spine, femoral-neck and WBBMD Z-scores than those on SSRIs for <6M. Hip BMD and WBBMC/Ht Z-scores were lowest in subjects on SSRIs for >6M. Duration of SSRI use, duration since AN diagnosis and duration of amenorrhea inversely predicted BMD, whereas BMI was a positive predictor. In a regression model, duration of SSRI use remained an independent negative predictor of BMD.


CONCLUSIONS
Duration of SSRI use >6M is associated with low BMD in AN.


CONCLUSIONS
It may be necessary to monitor BMD more rigorously when duration of SSRI use exceeds 6M.
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 ; Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Mass General Hospital for Children and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Madhusmita
M
Misra
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Marie
M
Le Clair
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Nara
N
Mendes
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Karen K
KK
Miller
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Elizabeth
E
Lawson
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Erinne
E
Meenaghan
Klarman Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478.
Thomas
T
Weigel
Cambridge Eating Disorders Center, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Seda
S
Ebrahimi
Harris Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
David B
DB
Herzog
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Anne
A
Klibanski
Anorexia nervosa; SSRIs; bone density; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; serotonin