Diabetic women prone to bone fractures

Diabetic patients tend to have lower bone mineral density (BMD) compared to non-diabetic patients, according to the results of the study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).

Diabetes and osteoporosis are diseases commonly associated with unhealthy lifestyle.

Osteoporosis, for instance, is an age-related disorder associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) where the bones become porous, thin and brittle.

Such condition is a major health threat among menopausal women because they do not produce as much estrogen hormone needed for calcium absorption.

However, very limited studies found an association between diabetes and increased risk of osteoporotic hip and other fractures.

Thus, the FNRI conducted a pilot study to assess the bone strength in pre-menopausal women with diabetes aged 30-50 years by comparing the BMD of middle-aged, pre-menopausal women with and without diabetes.

A study using the case control design compared the BMD of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals where 63 pre-menopausal women qualified for the study.
Of the 63, six were diagnosed to have type-1 diabetes, 27 with type-2 diabetes and 30 without diabetes.
Information obtained from the participants include age, weight and body mass index (BMI), blood chemistry specifically FBS and glycosylated hemoglobin, medical history of fracture and BMD assessment by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) using Lunar DPX-IQ system.

Results revealed that non-diabetic subjects had the highest bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, while subjects with type-1 diabetes had the lowest bone mineral density of the right femoral neck.

Among the three groups, the type-1 diabetic subjects had the lowest bone mineral density of the left femoral neck.

While results showed that diabetic subjects tend to have lower bone mineral density compared with non-diabetic subjects, the study recommended that further research on bone health among pre-menopausal diabetic women in various physical and lifestyle activities be done.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service: Press Release – REGINA M. PAGASPAS)