Screening Bone Mineral Density in Epilepsy: A Call to Action, but What Action?
Authors: Herman Susan T. 
Published: March 2009

Value of Routine Screening for Bone Demineralization in an Urban Population of Patients with Epilepsy. Lado F, Spiegel R, Masur JH, Boro A and Haut SR. Epilepsy Research 2008;78( 2 – 3 ):155–160.

Background

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is increasingly recognized in patients receiving antiepileptic drug therapy. The precise prevalence is not known due to variability across populations studied. We set out to characterize the prevalence of abnormal BMD in an urban population of patients with epilepsy with the intent to determine the value of routine BMD screening.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 130 consecutive patients seen thorough our Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. BMD was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry and was reported as T-score and Z-score. Additional information collected for each patient included age, race, gender, current and prior AEDs, ambulatory state, menopausal state, concomitant medications potentially associated with reduced bone mineralization, and comorbid illness potentially associated with reduced bone mineralization. Associations between reduced bone mineralization and variables were tested for significance using Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results

The average age of the entire study population was 43.5 (±12.5) years. Fifty-five percent of patients had T-score less than or equal to −1, the WHO criterion for osteopenia in postmenopausal women. The prevalence of Z-scores less than −2.0 was 15%, which is more than sixfold greater than expected. The markers for decreased BMD included older age or menopause in women, longer duration of therapy, and a history of use of phenytoin or phenobarbital. Assisted ambulation was also associated with low BMD.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that reduced bone mineralization is prevalent and a significant health concern in an urban population of patients with epilepsy. Because of the high prevalence of reduced bone mineralization reported in numerous studies including this study, routinely screening for reduced bone mineralization is warranted in patients receiving anticonvulsant therapy. Bone Health in Young Women with Epilepsy after One Year of Antiepileptic Drug Monotherapy. Pack AM, Morrell MJ, Randall A, McMahon DJ and Shane E. Neurology 2008;70(18):1586–1593.

Objective

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may have adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and metabolism. We previously reported biochemical evidence of increased bone turnover in premenopausal women with epilepsy on phenytoin monotherapy compared with those on carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and valproate. We therefore hypothesized that rates of bone loss would be higher in young women treated with phenytoin.

Methods

Ninety-three premenopausal women with epilepsy receiving a single AED (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, or valproate) participated. Subjects completed nutritional and physical activity questionnaires. Biochemical indices of bone and mineral metabolism and BMD of the proximal femur and lumbar spine were measured at baseline and 1 year.

Results

Participants reported high calcium intake (>1,000 mg/day) and were physically active. Significant loss (2.6%) was seen at the femoral neck in the phenytoin group. BMD remained stable in the other AED groups. Bone turnover markers and calciotropic hormones were unchanged after 1 year in all groups except for a significant decline in urine N-telopeptide in the phenytoin group. In women receiving phenytoin, lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were associated with higher parathyroid hormone, bone alkaline phosphatase, and urine N-telopeptide levels, a biochemical pattern consistent with secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased remodeling.

Conclusion

In this study, young women treated with phenytoin had significant femoral neck bone loss over 1 year. In contrast, those treated with carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and valproate did not have detectable adverse effects on bone turnover or bone mineral density. These results raise concerns about the long-term effects of phenytoin monotherapy on bone in young women with epilepsy.