The Relationship Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Bone Density In Postmenopausal Women

his study was carried out to determine the importance of type 2 Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 2004 on 40 diabetic and 40 healthy postmenopausal women attending the endocrine clinics in Zanjan. These two groups were matched in terms of age, length of their menopausal period and body mass index. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and estradiol were measured in all cases and bone densities at three sites (Femoral neck, lumbar spine and forearm) were evaluated with dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). All data were analyzed using t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square and multiple regression tests. Results: The frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia in diabetic women were not significantly different from non-diabetics. The mean bone density in the femoral neck was higher in the diabetic group (0.806±0.13 gr/cm2 vs 0.726 ± 0.15 gr/cm2), (p: 0.002). In the diabetic group there was a negative correlation between bone density and length of menopause in the femoral neck (r:-0.49, p:0.004), lumbar spine (r:-0.58, p: 0.005) and mid radius (r:-0.37, p: 0.03). The relationship between BMI and bone density was significant in the femoral neck (r: 0.55, p: 0.01) in diabetic women. In diabetic women, the higher the HbA1c the lower the bone density in lumbar spine. Conclusion: Although the level of HbA1c as a marker of blood glucose control has a relationship with lumbar spine density in diabetics, diabetes type 2 is not a risk factor for osteoporosis. Hence measures should be taken individually similar to non diabetic patients, for screening, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in diabetes type 2.