Decreased bone mass and increased bone turnover with valproate therapy in adults with epilepsy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Bone loss and hypovitaminosis D are reported in patients taking antiepileptic drugs, but little is known about changes in bone and calcium metabolism from valproic acid (VPA).

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the relationship of VPA to bone mass and calcium metabolism in 40 adults with epilepsy on long-term VPA monotherapy, 40 age- and sex-matched epileptic patients taking phenytoin (PHT), and 40 healthy control subjects. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the second metacarpal was determined as T- and Z-scores.

RESULTS:

BMD reduction from control values was 14% (12% in men, 16% in women) with VPA and 13% (12% in men, 15% in women) with PHT. Among patients on VPA, nine (23%) had T-scores below -2.5 SD, suggesting osteoporosis; 15 (37%) had T-scores between -1 and -2.5 SD, suggesting osteopenia. Serum concentrations of calcium were significantly higher with VPA than in PHT or control groups. Serum concentrations of bone Gla protein (a bone formation marker) and pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP; a bone resorption marker) associated with either drug significantly exceeded control values. Z-scores for BMD in the VPA group correlated negatively with calcium and ICTP. High ICTP correlated positively with ionized calcium, implying that increased bone resorption caused the latter.

CONCLUSION:

Long-term VPA monotherapy can increase bone resorption, leading to decreased BMD.

• Authors: Y Sato, I Kondo, S Ishida, H Motooka, K Takayama, Y Tomita, H Maeda, K Satoh
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 57 Issue 3 Pg. 445-9 (Aug 14 2001) ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11502911 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Retracted Publication)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Valproic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Bone Density (drug effects, physiology)
• Bone and Bones (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Epilepsy (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Valproic Acid (therapeutic use)