Depression in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: Integrating psychological nursing into holistic care

Abstract

Depression is highly prevalent among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, driven by the combined effects of hormonal changes, reduced bone density, and psychosocial stress. A recent study by Cui and Su reported that 73.3% of affected women exhibited depressive symptoms, with low bone mineral density, chronic comorbidities, and reduced serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) levels as key risk factors. Notably, nurse-led psychological interventions improved both mood and quality of life. This editorial underscore the need to integrate mental health support into standard osteoporosis care. Simple, scalable strategies such as routine screening and nurse-delivered emotional support may help bridge the gap between physical and psychological health. These approaches are especially relevant for aging populations across diverse healthcare settings. A dual focus on bone and emotional well-being is essential to improving outcomes in this vulnerable group.

Keywords: Osteoporosis; Depression; Postmenopausal women; Psychological nursing; Multidisciplinary care; Bone mineral density; Serotonin

Core Tip: Depression and osteoporosis frequently co-occur in postmenopausal women, compounding health risks and reducing quality of life. This editorial highlight recent findings that link low bone mineral density, chronic disease, and low serotonin levels with depressive symptoms, while demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized psychological nursing interventions. Integrating emotional and physical care enables clinicians to support postmenopausal women in achieving both psychological well-being and skeletal integrity.