Schizophrenia and osteoporosis share surprising genetic ties, new study reveals
A new study has uncovered a strong genetic link between schizophrenia and osteoporosis. Researchers at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, led by Dr. Feng Liu, found that the two conditions share biological pathways at a molecular level. Their findings suggest that bone health monitoring could become part of clinical care for schizophrenia patients in the future.
The team analysed data from over half a million individuals, using the largest genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on schizophrenia and six osteoporosis-related traits. They applied three advanced genomic methods—MiXeR, LAVA, and the conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate framework—to detect shared genetic factors.
The heel bone stood out as the most affected site, with 140 shared genomic loci identified between schizophrenia and heel bone mineral density. This overlap exceeded that seen in other skeletal areas. The study also mapped 1,376 protein-coding genes to these shared risk regions, offering a detailed molecular roadmap for potential prevention strategies. Functional analysis revealed that these shared genes were enriched in key biological processes. These included organonitrogen compound metabolism, anatomical structure development, and broader biological regulation. The results reinforce the idea that schizophrenia and osteoporosis may partly share an underlying genetic basis. Schizophrenia, a chronic psychiatric disorder affecting around 1% of the global population, has long been linked to a range of physical health issues. Osteoporosis, a condition characterised by weakened bones, is also highly heritable. The study’s authors propose that integrating genetic risk scores for bone health into schizophrenia treatment plans could improve patient outcomes.
The findings highlight a clear genetic connection between schizophrenia and osteoporosis, particularly in heel bone density. This research could lead to practical changes in how doctors assess bone health in schizophrenia patients. By using genetic risk scores, clinicians may be able to identify at-risk individuals earlier and tailor preventive care accordingly.
