Bone turnover and bone mineral density in old persons with type 2 diabetes

AIMS: To understand the paradox of an increased fracture risk despite increased bone mineral density (BMD) in persons with type 2 diabetes (DM2). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 80 old persons with DM2. Mineral metabolism, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), bone turnover – osteocalcin, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) – were measured and BMD was assessed at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). Data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Program. RESULTS: Low levels of 25OHD (84%) and high values of PTH (20%) were found. Osteocalcin was directly related to CTX, p < 0.001, with increased bone formation and increased BMD (z-score) at LS and FN. PTH was directly related to osteocalcin and CTX and inversely related to BMD at the FN, p < 0.05. Patients with dyslipidemia presented higher P1NP, p < 0.05 and patients with hypertension presented higher BMD at LS and FN, p < 0.01. CONCLUSION: Old type 2 diabetics present increased bone formation, PTH-driven. Low grade secondary hyperparathyroidism may explain the paradox of an increased fracture risk despite increased BMD.