[Cortical and trabecular bone lesions in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]

To determinate which type of bone is damaged in IDDM, we assessed the bone mineral content (BMC) in both cortical and trabecular bones, in a group of 48 IDDM patients without hepatic or kidney diseases, or any other pathology with implications in the mineral metabolism. For the evaluation techniques of single photon absorptiometry (SPA) and double photon absorptiometry (DPA) were used. All the patients controlled their disease with insulin. The results showed the presence of osteopenia in both types of bone. It was more evident in male group. In the patients group the mean value of serum osteocalcin (BGP) was significantly decreased (2.34 +/- 1.05) in comparison with the controls (p less than 0.001). The deficient of BMC is neither related with the parameters of new bone formation nor with the time of disease evolution.