Connection of Depression and Bone Loss in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Depression has been implicated as a possible risk factor for low bone mineral density (BMD). However, there is still no solid evidence that could connect these two different illnesses. This research examined the association between self-reported depression and low BMD in pen menopausal and postmenopausal women. This research screened 130 female patients who were 44 to 72 years old and registered at the densitometiy clinic of KBC Rijeka during a three month period. Densitometry was performed in order to establish their BMD and according to the results two groups of participants were formed: normal BMD - 38 participants with normal BMD at hip and spine and reduced BMD - 75 participants with lower BMD at hip and spine. Depression was assessed using Beck depression inventory. Both groups of participants were compared regarding their depression scores. There were no significant differences between the groups with normal and reduced BMD regarding mean age, age of menopause, length of menopause and number of births (p=0.001). Difference regarding depressiveness between the two groups was not significant (t=0.73; p=0.468). Also, there were no differences between the groups regarding the frequency of certain levels of depression. (chi(2)=2.27; p=0.52). Results of this research suggest that self-reported depression is not associated with low BMD in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.