ICEECE2012 Poster Presentations Bone & Osteoporosis (67 abstracts)
1University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece; 2University of Athens, Aiginiteion Hospital, Athens, Greece; 3University of Athens, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Introduction: The BsmI restriction fragment polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been related with the development of bone disease in postmenopause, homozygous β thalassemia and hyperthyroidism. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between bone metabolism in patients with epilepsy and the BsmI VDRs polymorphism.
Methods/design: This cross-sectional study evaluated 73 adult patients with epilepsy, under antiepileptic drug monotherapy for at least 1 year and with regular menses for women. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were obtained for biochemical assessment and genotyping.
Results: Significant differences were observed in levels of BMD according to the VDRs genotype (BMD: Bb genotype 1.056±0.126 g/cm2; BB genotype 1.059±0.113 g/cm2; bb genotype 1.179±0.120 g/cm2; P-value <0.05). Presence of at least one B allele associated with lower serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D when compared with absence of the B allele (22.61 vs 33.27 ng/ml; P-value <0.05). Bone density below the expected range for age (4.1% of subjects) correlated with the presence of the BB genotype (P-value =0.031), even after adjusting for the daily drug dosage, duration of therapy, sex, age and BMI. Regression analysis revealed that the presence of at least one unfavorable B allele was a significant predictor of BMD, independently of age, sex, BMI, daily dosage and duration of therapy (β=−0.149; P-value=0.001)
Conclusion: BsmI VDRs polymorphism is significantly associated with BMD in patients with epilepsy. The potential role of this polymorphism in the development of bone disease in patients with epilepsy should be evaluated by larger studies, as it might be helpful to ordinate patients as high risk and low risk, regarding the development of osteoporosis.
Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.
Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.