Increased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies of bone mineral density (BMD) in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus have shown conflicting results. We conducted this study to determine whether postmenopausal women with diabetes have higher BMD than non-diabetic women of similar age, and to investigate the relationship between BMD and relevant clinical characteristics in these groups of women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed lumbar spine, femoral neck, and radius BMD data and other relevant clinical data for 130 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 166 non-diabetic women collected during a voluntary screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women without a history of low bone mass or osteoporotic fractures. RESULTS: Women with type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly higher mean lumbar spine BMD (0.903 +/- 0.165 vs. 0.824 +/- 0.199, respectively, P<.001) and mean femoral neck BMD (0.870 +/- 0.132 vs. 0.832 +/- 0.134, respectively, P<.05) than non-diabetic women. In both groups of women, age correlated negatively with BMD levels at all three anatomical sites. Higher body mass index was associated only with higher lumbar spine BMD in both groups. Alkaline phosphatase levels showed a negative correlation with BMD at all sites in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus have higher BMD levels than non-diabetic women with similar clinical characteristics, and require a more scrutinized approach in managing low bone mass.