Bone mineral density, markers of bone turnover, and cytokines in young women with borderline personality disorder with and without comorbid major depressive disorder.

Objective: The pathogenesis of bone loss in major depressive disorder is a matter of debate. Studies of bone loss in nonpsychiatric medical disorders have found an association between the activation of osteoclastic cells and an imbalance of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines. Since major depressive disorder is also associated with alterations in serum cytokine concentrations, the authors hypothesized that bone loss in patients with major depressive disorder and comorbid borderline personality disorder may be associated with cytokines capable of activating osteoclastic cells.