Bone mineral in pre- and postmenopausal women with insulin-depdendent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The aim of the study was to compare bone mineral density (BMD) and bone tur nover in pre- and postmenopausal women with insulin-dependent diabetes mell itus (IDDM), non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and normal ref erence women. In a cross-sectional study 31 and II premenopausal and 22 and 21 postmenopausal IDDM and NIDDM patients, respectively, were recruited fr om an outpatient clinic. BMD in the forearm, spine, femur and total body an d biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured and compared with refe rence values obtained from measurements of normal healthy pre- and postmeno pausal women. Postmenopausally, but not premenopausally, IDDM patients had lower BMD values than NIDDM patients. Postmenopausal NIDDM patients had hig her BMD value than normal women. The differences in BMD between IDDM and NI DDM patients could be explained statistically by differences in body weight between the NIDMM (obese) and IDDM (lean) women. Markers of bone turnover were significantly higher postmenopausally than premenopausally in both IDD M and NIDDM patients. Osteocalcin was significantly lower in postmenopausal NIDDM compared with postmenopausal IDDM patients and reference values. Oth erwise there were no differences in the markers of bone turnover between NI DDM and IDDM patients. In conclusion, postmenopausal IDDM patients have a r elatively decreased BMD, whereas NIDDM patients seem to be relatively prote cted from postmenopausal bone loss.