Postpartum depression co-occurring with lactation-related osteoporosis

Psychosomatics. 2009 Mar-Apr;50(2):155-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.50.2.155.

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression may present with somatic complaints. However, all somatic symptoms do not indicate a possible depression diagnosis. One of the clinical pictures related to physical complaints is osteoporosis in late pregnancy and lactation (PLO); this is a rare disorder, and its pathophysiology remains unknown.

Objective: The authors report here a case of PLO and depression in a 35-year-old primiparous patient with acute low back pain and postpartum depression 4 weeks after caesarean section.

Method: Diagnosis was made by DXA scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Depression was assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

Results: The patient achieved pain relief through treatment with calcium, vitamin D, calcitonin, weekly alendronate, and venlafaxine for depression.

Conclusion: PLO and depression may have a common etiopathogenesis that needs further investigation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alendronate / therapeutic use
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Calcitonin / therapeutic use
  • Calcium / therapeutic use
  • Cyclohexanols / therapeutic use
  • Depression, Postpartum / complications*
  • Depression, Postpartum / diagnosis*
  • Depression, Postpartum / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactation*
  • Low Back Pain / epidemiology
  • Osteoporosis / complications*
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy
  • Osteoporosis / etiology*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Cyclohexanols
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Vitamin D
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
  • Calcitonin
  • Calcium
  • Alendronate