Abstract
The etiopathogenesis, clinical symptoms and indiealians to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with schizophrenia,
as well as a literature review on risk factors for osteoporosis in schizophrenics are presented in the paper. Decreased bane mass density (BMD) is
caused in these patients mostly by a long-term neuroleptic treatment (with the ensuing hyperprolactinemia and hypoestrogenism), insufficient ca++ intake, law physical activity and limited exposure to UV rays. Other important risk factors are: alcohol and tobacco abuse, treatment with other ( e.g. antiepileptic) drugs, polydipsia. Clinical symptoms of osteoporosis (most often vertebral, stemal andlor costal fractures) can be seen not earlier than ten or more years s ince t he onset o f t he disease. In patients with schizophrenia osteoporosis is diagnosed and treated too seldom. Reduction of risk factors, prevention and early treatment oJ osteopenia seem to the most important strategies in the prevention oJ osteoporosis in schizophrenic patients.