Association of bone turnover markers and cognitive function in Chinese chronic schizophrenia patients with or without vitamin D insufficiency

Background Increasing evidence shows that bone turnover markers (BTMs) and vitamin D can affect human cognitive function. However, there are few studies that have investigated the association between BTMs and cognitive function in chronic schizophrenia patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BTMs and cognitive function in chronic schizophrenia patients with or without vitamin D insufficiency (VDI). Methods In all, 118 chronic schizophrenia patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was applied to evaluate the cognitive function of the subjects. Blood analysis included bone turnover markers, vitamin D levels, and glycolipid levels. Results Relative to 72 vitamin D-sufficient (VDS) patients, 46 VDI patients had higher bone resorption markers levels and lower bone formation markers levels. Regression analysis showed that, in the total sample, CTX and language function exhibited independent positive correlation ( p = 0.027, R 2 change = 0.042), and in the VDS group, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) was independently negatively correlated with language function ( p = 0.031, R 2 change = 0.065), while the positive correlation between osteopontin (OPN) and delayed memory remained in the VDI group ( p = 0.036, R 2 change = 0.083). Conclusion Our study showed an association between the levels of BTMs and cognitive function among chronic schizophrenia patients. This correlation may have different mechanisms of action at different vitamin D levels.