[Evaluation of bone mass in insulin dependent diabetes during ultrasonic examination]

The study group included 34 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus lasting for over 5 years, receiving intensive functional insulin therapy. Apart from the evaluation of chronic complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy) all the patients were also examined with respect to diabetes normalization (HbAlc, mean daily glycemia) and bone density measured with the use of Achilles Lunar. T-score was found to be significantly higher in diabetes with higher mean glycemia and higher AbAlc. Lowering of T-score was seen in younger women than in men. Decreased T-score was found in patients with retinopathy and nephropathy as compared with those without the complications. A significantly lower (p < 0.05) T-score was seen in patients with peripheral and autonomic neuropathy as compared with those without the complications. The present findings indicate that lack of diabetes normalization contributes into the development of osteoporosis in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. An important role is also played by chronic diabetes complications, especially diabetic nephropathy mediated by neurotrophic mechanism.