MDNews - Greater Boston

THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGY, A RECENT STUDY IDENTIFIED INCREASED RISK OF BONE FRACTURE AS A COMPLICATION OF TYPE 2 DIABETES. IN PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 diabetes, low bone density can be a symptom of the disease. However, those with Type 2 diabetes are also at an increased risk for bone problems, despite their relatively normal bone density. "People with Type 2 diabetes have more fractures than those without diabetes, even when their bone density levels are average or above average," says Mishaela R. Rubin, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University. "There's a split between the bone mineral density measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, and the increased number of fractures that are reported. This suggests there is a compromise in bone quality." New research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research supports Dr. Rubin's statement, finding that the com- promised bone strength of diabetic patients can be measured and demonstrated clinically. Average Bone Density, Low Bone Strength The study, sponsored by the Mayo Clinic and led by senior author Sundeep Khosla, MD, endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, examined 60 postmenopausal women, with 30 age-matched, nondiabetic controls and 30 women who have had Type 2 diabetes for the past 10 years. Regional bone mineral density (BMD) was measured with DXA. Rather than using just DXA scans to measure bone density, several new techniques were implemented to ensure a complete picture of the bone. Using OsteoProbe, bone material strength (BMS) was measured in the subjects' tibias — the deeper the probe was able to go into the bone, the lower the BMS. Cortical and trabecular bone microarchitecture were assessed with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT). "The HRpQCT imaging gives incredible detail of the bone that was previously only possible with a biopsy," Dr. Rubin says. "This technology offers a noninvasive way of getting information that is not possible through conventional DXA imaging." After adjusting for controls, patients with Type 2 diabetes had an up to 10.5 percent decrease in BMS — a significant difference. Additionally, the average glycated hemoglobin level over the previous 10 years was negatively correlated with BMS. However, the bone microarchitecture and BMD in those with Type 2 diabetes were not significantly different from the controls. The bottom line? "Decreased bone strength needs to be added to the list of diabetic complications," Dr. Rubin says. "Increased bone fragility and compromise of bone quality are real risks for those with Type 2 diabetes." For the Physician "Preventive measures which detect bone loss are extremely important," Dr. Rubin says. "We know that worse scores on DXA testing can still predict bone fractures in diabetics, even though it underestimates the fracture rate." By combining patient education with treatments such as vitamin D and calcium supplements, preventing fractures in those with diabetes is possible. As research in this area expands, more preventive treatments for bone health in diabetics may be developed. ■ Diabetes and Bone Health By Melissa Moore THE CONNECTION BETWEEN 1 4 | Greater Boston MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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