Abstract
PURPOSE: Patients with schizophrenia have obvious bone health problems. However, the differences in the effects of risperidone and aripiprazole on the bone health of schizophrenia patients remain unclear. This study aims to analyze the effects of risperidone and aripiprazole on the bone health of patients with schizophrenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 210 chronic schizophrenia patients aged 35-55, who had been on regular maintenance therapy with either risperidone or aripiprazole for more than 5 years, were recruited. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and laboratory indicators were collected. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using the UBS-3000plus Quantitative Ultrasound Bone Densitometer Measurement System. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationships between variables. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with bone mass decline in the risperidone group (55.32%) was significantly higher than that in the aripiprazole group (37.07%). BMD levels were negatively correlated with prolactin, progesterone, albumin, UA, negative score, and total disease duration, and positively correlated with estradiol, phosphorus, and creatinine. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of aripiprazole was a protective factor against bone mass decline, while the negative score and prolactin were risk factors. CONCLUSION: The bone health level of schizophrenia patients is significantly reduced. Long-term use of risperidone is associated with a more significant decrease in bone density compared with aripiprazole.