Lithium Use in Women with Bipolar Disorder Linked to Improved Bone Health

A recent study discovered a potential relationship between lithium use and enhanced bone health in women diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The key highlights of this study were published in the Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. The study was conducted in south-eastern Australia and involved a total of 117 women aged 20 and above to explore the impact of lithium on bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of low bone mass.

The outcomes of the study revealed that women currently using lithium demonstrated significantly greater BMD when compared to their non-lithium-using counterparts. After rigorous adjustments for various factors like the socioeconomic status, weight, height, and lifestyle factors, the findings showed a remarkable 5.1% increase in BMD at the spine, 4.2% at the total hip, and 2.2% at the total body in lithium users.

This key findings of the study indicated that the lithium users were 20.9% less likely to have low bone mass which is a critical factor in bone health. This association between low bone mass and lithium use persisted even after accounting for potential confounders. These data suggest lithium is associated with greater BMD and reduced risk of low bone mass in women with bipolar disorder. 

The implications extend beyond psychiatric considerations and highlight the potential cross-disciplinary benefits of lithium use. While psychiatric disorders and their treatments have long been associated with skeletal deficits, this study suggests a positive impact on bone health for those utilizing lithium to manage bipolar disorder. Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of this association would pave the way for innovative approaches to address both psychiatric and skeletal health concerns simultaneously.

Reference:

Williams, L. J., Agustini, B., Stuart, A. L., Pasco, J. A., Hodge, J. M., Samarasinghe, R. M., Bjerkeset, O., Quirk, S. E., Koivumaa-Honkanen, H., Honkanen, R., Heikkinen, J., & Berk, M. (2024). Lithium use and bone health in women with bipolar disorder: A cross‐sectional study. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13660