Influence of diabetes on peripheral bone mineral density in men: a controlled study

The aims of the study were to (1) compare peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) in men with diabetes to peripheral BMD in non-diabetic men, and (2) explore factors which may predict BMD in diabetic men. Ninety men with type 2 diabetes and 35 men with type 1 diabetes were randomly selected for participation via a computerised database. Fifty healthy males were also recruited. All patients had peripheral BMD measured by dual energy Xray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the non-dominant distal radius. Information on a number of clinical parameters was obtained by direct questioning, and from patient case notes. The mean age (95% confidence interval (CI)) of the type 1 diabetic group, type 2 diabetic group and control group were, respectively: 49.3 years (44.6-53.9), 62.8 years (60.7-64.8) and 38.5 (34.9-42.1) years. Median (95% CI) Z-scores for the three groups were: -0.18 (-0.68 to +0.32), +0.19 (-0.14 to +0.49) and -0.02 (-0.4 to +0.31), respectively (p=not significant). Only body mass index (BMI) was correlated with BMD in the type 1 diabetic group, and only BMI and age were correlated with BMD in type 2 diabetics. There was no correlation between BMD and glycosylated haemoglobin concentration (HbA(1)c), disease duration or presence of microvascular or macrovascular complications in either of the diabetic groups. We did not find any significant difference in peripheral BMD between patients with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and controls.