Bone health among premenopausal female alcoholics: A pilot study

We report a pilot study of bone health of alcohol dependent women. Women admitted to an alcohol-withdrawal unit (cases) and a convenience sample of controls (nursing staff) were recruited and asked to complete a lifestyle questionnaire before undergoing heel ultrasound measurements. Fasting blood samples were obtained on the day of admission (day 1) and at 5 days. Bone turnover markers (P1NP and CTX) and vitamin D levels were measured in a subset of the alcohol dependent population. Cases were less physically active than controls. Alcoholic women had lower heel ultrasound derived Stiffness Index scores (mean 85.2 (17.6)) compared with controls (mean 95.5 (18.7)) (p=0.07). P1NP rose significantly over the detoxification programme (day 1: 28.35 � g/l (12.25); day 5: 34.19 � g/l (13.16), p=0.003) but CTX change was not significant. Lifestyle factors associated with poor bone health are prevalent in female alcoholics. Significant increase in bone formation was observed 5 days after alcohol withdrawal.