Risk of Fracture Prevalence and Glycemic Control in Korean Older and Middle-aged Patients with Diabetes: A Retrospective Analysis of a Cohort Derived from the Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service Database, 2009–2013

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bone fractures are high in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia and chronic kidney disease may increase the risk of fracture prevalence via altered bone metabolism, but whether glycemic control and kidney function are associated with the risk of fracture prevalence remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between glycemic control and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and risk of fracture prevalence in older and middle-aged patients with T2DM. METHODS: Patients who underwent a general medical check-up between 2009 and 2013 were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service records. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between glycemic control and eGFR and risk of fracture prevalence. RESULTS: Cumulative fracture prevalence were higher in patients with T2DM, irrespective of whether they had tight or less stringent glycemic control (fasting blood glucose [FBG] ≥ 110 mg/dL). After adjustment for baseline age and FBG, tight and less stringent glycemic control was significantly associated with increased adjusted risk of fracture prevalence in middle-aged patients with T2DM (OR=1.13, 95% CI, 1.05–1.21, p=0.0005 vs OR=1.13, 95% CI, 1.06–1.20, p=0.0001), but not in older patients. Baseline eGFR was not significantly related to fracture prevalence in either older or middle-aged patients. CONCLUSION: Less stringent glycemic control significantly increased the adjusted risk of fracture prevalence in middle-aged patients with T2DM. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect of tight glycemic control on fracture prevalence.