How Does Prediabetes Impact Bone Mineral Density?

Trends in bone mineral density (BMD) appear to have declined since 2005 among adults older than 40 years with prediabetes and normal glucose regulation (NGR), according to a new analysis of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

The analysis included data on femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD from 2005 to 2014. In total, data on 5310 adults with prediabetes and on 5162 adults with NGR were analyzed. All patients were aged older than 40 years.

According to the researchers, patients with prediabetes experienced a shift toward a lower BMD and a higher prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis at the femoral neck and lumbar spine during the study period. This shift was especially seen in men younger than 60 years and in women aged 60 years or older.

Meanwhile, patients with NGR also experienced a shift toward a higher prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis at the femoral neck from 2005 to 2014.

The researchers also assessed the association between prediabetes and NGR with fracture and found that prediabetes was associated with a higher prevalence of hip fracture. Although patients with diabetes had a higher prevalence of hip fracture, they also had a relatively higher BMD and a lower prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis at the femoral neck.

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Chen C, Chen Q, Nie B, et al. Trends in bone mineral density, osteoporosis, and osteopenia among U.S. adults with prediabetes, 2005–2014 [published online March 9, 2020]. Diabetes Care. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc19-1807.