Anti-epileptic bone loss link
31 May 2002
Young men who have seizures are at risk of bone loss from the femoral neck during anti-epileptic therapy, US research shows.
Study data showed that 47 per cent of 81 men taking anti-epileptics had hip osteopenia, which was more than two-and-a-half times the proportion of men with osteopenia in the general population.
And 23 per cent of the men had suffered a fracture since starting anti-epileptics, with about a quarter of these related to seizures (Archives of Neurology 2002; 59: 781-86).
Younger men, and those taking anti-epileptics for a short time, were most at risk of osteopenia and should be screened with dual X-ray absorptiometry, researchers said.
There was no link between type of anti-epileptic, vitamin D levels or gonadal status and risk of bone loss.
Last Reviewed: 31 May 2002
- MOW 31/05/02
