BONE-MINERAL DENSITY MEASURED BY DUAL X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY IN SPANISHPATIENTS WITH INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Previous studies suggest that low bone mass is a potential complicatio n of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, the factors th at influence diabetic osteopenia are not well established. In order to evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of diabetic osteopenia and its association with clinical and metabolic variables, we studied 94 conse cutive patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Their age ra nged from 20 to 56 years and duration of diabetes varied from 1 to 35 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual X-ray absorptio metry at lumbar spine and proximal femur and the values were expressed as z-score. The presence and extent of microvascular complications, d egree of metabolic control, and other risk factors for osteoporosis we re recorded and some biochemical markers of bone metabolism were asses sed. Diabetic patients showed reduced BMD in all sites (lumbar spine: -0.89 +/- 1.21; femoral neck: -0.99 +/- 1.24; Ward triangle: -1.05 +/- 1.24; P < 0.0001). Of the 94 patients 19.1% met diagnostic criteria f or osteoporosis. BMD correlated with body mass index in all sites and with the duration of disease in Ward's triangle. Presence and extent o f diabetic complications were associated with lower BMD, as was smokin g. No correlation was found between BMD and biochemical markers. In co nclusion, osteopenia is a common complication in patients with insulin -dependent diabetes mellitus. Microvascular complications are a critic al point in the progression of diabetic osteopenia. Other risk factors for osteoporosis (nutritional status and smoking) must be taken into account.