Association of the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region genotype with lower bone mineral density

摘要

The serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) of the serotonin transporter gene ( SLC6A4 ) S allele is linked to pathogenesis of depression and slower response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); depression and SSRIs are independently associated with bone loss. We aimed to determine whether 5-HTTLPR was associated with bone loss. This cross-sectional study included psychiatric patients with both 5-HTTLPR analysis and bone mineral density (BMD) assessment (hip and spine Z -scores if age T -scores if ?50 years). BMD association with 5-HTTLPR was evaluated under models with additive allele effects and dominant S allele effects using linear regression models. Patients were stratified by age ( Z -scores at the hip ( P =0.002, dominant S allele effects; P =0.004, additive allele effects) and spine ( P =0.0006, dominant S allele effects; P =0.01, additive allele effects). In sex-stratified analyses, the association of the S allele with lower BMD in the younger patients was also significant in the subset of women ( P ?0.003 for both hip and spine BMD under the additive allele effect model). In the small group of men younger than 50 years, the S allele was marginally associated with higher spine BMD ( P =0.05). BMD T -scores were not associated with 5-HTTLPR genotypes in patients 50 years or older. The 5-HTTLPR variants may modify serotonin effects on bone with sex-specific effects.