Association of haematological parameters with bone mineral density in elderly diabetic women.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether an association exists between complete blood count (CBC) parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly females with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to estimate the differences in BMD in T2DM.

METHODS: The medical records of female patients who had been referred for BMD analysis to a tertiary hospital in Ankara, Turkey were reviewed.

RESULTS: A total of 275 women (66 with T2DM, 209 without T2DM; mean age 72.1 ± 5.4 years) were included in study. White blood cell (WBC) counts, lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) and femoral neck BMD (FNBMD) were found to be significantly higher in T2DM. There was an inverse association between haematocrit (Hct) and LSBMD in diabetic group (r =  - 0.330; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: Diabetic patients had higher BMD levels. Regardless of the mechanisms, Hct could be a readily available potential candidate to identify diabetic patients with osteoporosis.