Osteopenia in patients with type 1 diabetes: prevalence and some aspects of pathophysiology

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the prevalence of osteopenia in patients with type 1 diabetes and its relationship to the metabolic control of diabetes. Also, to study if there is any changes in the biochemical markers of bone formation in type 1 diabetics. This study included 50 male patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes, their ages ranged from 18 to 33 years with mean +/- SD [25.3 +/- 5.4 years] and also, sex and aged matched 20 healthy subjects were included as control group. The bone mineral density was measured at the calcaneal bone for all participants using quantitative ultrasonometry. Laboratory evaluation also was done, including glycosylated hemoglobin, serum levels of calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. The prevalence of osteopenia in patients with type 1 diabetes was 62% and 8% of type 1 diabetics met the criteria of osteoporosis. Type 1 diabetic patients had significantly lower levels of mean serum osteocalcin than the control group. Also, type 1 diabetic patients with calcaneal osteopenia had significantly higher levels of mean serum glycosylated hemoglobin and sign significantly lower levels of mean serum osteocalcin than those diabetics without calcaneal osteopenia. Osteopenia is frequent in patients with type 1 diabetes with prevalence of 62% and 8% of type 1 diabetics met criteria of osteoporosis. This diabetic osteopenia results mainly from decreased bone formation and the poor metabolic control. We recommend screening of type 1 diabetics for osteopenia and optimization of metabolic control to prevent osteoporosis