Metabolic and bone profile in postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Current studies support the implication of metabolic changes associated with type 2 diabetes in altering bone metabolism, structure and resistance.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a cross-sectional study on postmenopausal women aimed to analyze the differences in metabolic and bone profile in patients with and without type 2 diabetes Methods: We analyzed the metabolic and bone profile in postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes(T2DM). Clinical, metabolic, hormonal parameters, along with lumbar, hip and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) were evaluated.

RESULTS: 56 women with T2DM(63.57±8.97 years) and 83 non-T2DM (60.21±8.77 years) were included. T2DM patients presented a higher value of body mass index (BMI) and BMD vs. control group (p 0.001; p=0.03-lumbar level, p=0.07-femoral neck and p=0.001-total hip). Also, BMI correlated positively with lumbar-BMD and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r=0.348, p=0.01; r=0.269, p=0.04), correlation maintained even after age and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) adjustment (r = 0.383, p = 0.005; r=0.237, p=0.08). Diabetic patients recorded lower levels of 25(OH)D(p=0.05), bone markers (p ≤0.05) and TBS(p=0.07). For the entire patient group we found a negative correlation between HbA1clevel and bone markers: r =-0.358, p = 0.0005-osteocalcin, r =-0.40, p = 0.0005-P1NP, r =-0.258, p = 0.005-crosslaps.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the presence of altered bone microarchitecture in T2DZ patients according to the TBS score, combined with lower levels of bone markers, with a statistically significant negative correlation between HbA1c level and bone markers.