Aim. - To investigate the relationship between the major depression and bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women.

Material and methods. - We compared BMD, plasma cortisol level, osteocalcin and C-telopeptide levels of 35 premenopausal women with major depression with those of 30 healthy women who were matched for age and body mass index. Major depression was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition) criteria. Nineteen patients had mild and 16 patients had moderate severity of major depression as measured by Hamilton rating scale for depression.

Results. - Women with any risk factor for osteoporosis were excluded from the study. All women underwent BMD measurement by DEXA at lumbar (L2-4) and femoral neck region. After an overnight fasting, plasma cortisol levels were measured at 08:00 h by using competitive immunoassay method. Osteocalcin and C-telopeptide were used for the evaluation of bone turnover. There were no significant differences in BMD, plasma cortisol level, osteocalcin and C-telopeptide levels between the patients and the control groups. There was also no correlation between the plasma cortisol level, the duration and the severity of disease, antidepressant drug use and BMD.

Conclusion. - Major depression had no significant effect on BMD and bone turnover markers in our patient group of mild to moderate severity of the disorder.