Poster Presentation Annual Meetings of the Endocrine Society of Australia and Society for Reproductive Biology and Australia and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society 2016

Personality disorders and bone: Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS) (#332)

Lana J Williams 1 , Amanda L Stuart 1 , Shae E Quirk 1 , Michael Berk 1 2 3 4 , Sharon L Brennan-Olsen 1 5 6 , Jason M Hodge 1 7 , Veena Chandrasekaran 1 , Julie A Pasco 1 6
  1. Deakin University, Geelong
  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville
  3. Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville
  4. Orygen the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville
  5. Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne
  6. Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, St Albans
  7. Barwon Health University Hospital, Geelong

Background: Data are slowly emerging to suggest an association between personality disorder (PD), a group of psychiatric disorders characterised by maladaptive patterns of behaviour, and increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis. Associations with bone are yet to be explored, thus we aimed to investigate in a population-based sample of women (n=705; 28-94 years). 

Methods: Lifetime mood and PD (Cluster A, B and C) was assessed using semi-structured clinical interviews (SCID-I/NP and SCID-II). BMD (g/cm2) was measured at the PA-spine and hip using DXA (Lunar). BMD T-scores

Results: One hundred and thirty-two (18.7%) met criteria for PD [Cluster A, 19 (2.7%); Cluster B, 5 (0.7%); Cluster C, 108 (15.3%)]. BMD among those meeting criteria for Cluster A PD was 6.2% lower at the hip [mean 0.855 (95%CI 0.784-0.926) vs 0.911 (95%CI 0.861-0.691) g/cm2, p=0.031] compared to those without. No associations were observed at the spine or between Cluster B or C PDs and BMD at either site (all p>0.05). Four hundred and nineteen (63.2%) had low bone mass at the spine and/or hip. Similarly, Cluster A PDs but not Cluster B or C PDs, were associated with an increased likelihood of low bone mass (adjusted OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.0-10.7, p=0.05); the relationship was attenuated following adjustment for mood disorders (OR 2.8, 95%CI 0.9-9.4, p=0.09). All patterns persisted after further adjustment for physical activity, smoking, mood disorders and medications.

Conclusion: Cluster A PDs, characterised by odd, eccentric and non-help seeking behaviours, were associated with reductions in bone mass. Given the dearth of literature, replication and research into underlying mechanisms is warranted.