Incidence and prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in the UK

Severe Mental Illness (SMI) has been associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fractures but the mechanisms are not clear.

A review has shown that although prolactin-raising antipsychotic medication was associated with lower BMD, there were inadequacies in the consideration of other risk factors for osteoporosis. A Canadian study exploring fractures across the whole spectrum of mental health disorders showed that antipsychotic medication increased the risk of hip fracture.

This project will explore the incidence of falls and fractures in people with SMI (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychosis), taking into account a range of other factors. These include age, gender, ethnicity, personal history and family history of hip fracture, weight/BMI, smoking, alcohol, prescription of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and medication for osteoporosis.

University College London (UCL)

University of Leeds School of Medicine

Bradford Institute for Health Research