bone turnover markers in epileptic patients under chronic valproate therapy

background: th e eff ects of chronic valproic acid administration on bone health have been a matter of concern and controversy.in this study, the bone status following valproate intake was assessed by using several bone-related biochemical markers. materials and methods: in this case-control study, 62 epileptic patients and 40 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled. the patients had been under chronic valproate therapy (758 ± 29 mg/day) for at least the past 6 months, without any vitamin d/or calcium supplementation. serum markers of bone turnover (carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type i collagen (ctx) and bone-specifi c alkaline phosphatase [balp]), calcium, phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels were measured in both groups. results: the markers of bone turnover as well as other measured bone biochemical parameters did not statistically differ between the two groups. conclusion: valproate therapy at the mentioned doses does not seem to change bone turnover in adult epileptic patients.