Bone mineral density in a cohort of Estonian women with major depression

The study examines bone mineral density in 50 women (29 to 70 years) treated as outpatients for major depression and a healthy comparison group of 30 women. Women with major depression had lower T scores and Z scores at the lumbar spine but not at the femur. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to replicate the finding that women with depression have low bone mineral density (BMD) in an eastern European country. Methods: A total of 50 women (29 to 70 years) treated as outpatients for major depression and a healthy comparison group of 30 women were included. Diagnosis was confirmed using the MINI interview. Bone density was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Women with major depression had lower T scores and Z scores at the lumbar spine but not at the femur. Apart from age, there was no significant covariate that affected the difference between the groups. The concentration of β-Crosslaps, a marker of bone metabolism, tended to be higher in women with depression. Conclusions: Women with depression have low BMD at the lumbar spine. The distinguishing characteristic of the study is that the finding could be replicated in an eastern European population of middle-aged to elderly patients who were not hospitalized and had relatively high levels of physical activity and low levels of alcohol use and smoking.