Changes in bone turnover and deoxypyridinoline levels in epileptic patients

In this study, we evaluated bone turnover in 52 epileptic patients receiving chronic anticonvulsant therapy and in 39 healthy volunteers whose ages matched those of the patients. We determined serum osteocalcin and total and bone alkaline phosphatase levels as markers of bone formation, and urinary deoxypyridinoline and urinary calcium levels as markers of bone resorption. Statistical comparison of the levels of these markers between sexes in epileptic patients and their control groups revealed that total alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased in patients from both sexes compared with those of their controls. Urinary deoxypyridinoline levels of male epileptic patients were significantly increased compared with those of their controls. On the other hand, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of the male patients were significantly reduced compared with those of their controls. Serum osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, and urinary calcium levels of epileptic patients were not statistically different from those of the controls. We found that urinary deoxypyridinoline levels of male epileptic patients were increased, however, we observed no difference in serum osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphatase levels. The lack of difference may be attributed to the fact that only the resorption phase of bone turnover is affected during chronic anticonvulsant therapy.