Prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in diabetic individuals above 50 years of age at a tertiary care hospital: An observational study

Abstract

Background:Diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis coexist in the elderly population. However, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether diabetes affects the progression of osteoporosis in this population. In addition, diabetes-associated systemic complications may also contribute to an increased risk of fracture. Aim: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in diabetic individuals above 50 years of age and to estimate the burden of the disease in males and females. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional, and observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar (AIIMS). A total of 203 diabetic individuals above 50 years of age were recruited in the study, and their bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Other clinical and biochemical parameters were also assessed. A comparison was conducted among males and females and the three categories of BMD. Results: In our study setting, the overall prevalence of osteoporosis in diabetic individuals above 50 years of age was 40.89%. The prevalence was higher in females (56.5%) compared to males (26%). A higher proportion of individuals (51.6%) in the 71-80 years age group had osteoporosis. Increasing age and the duration of diabetes and menopause (in females) were the significant risk factors, along with serum creatinine and glycated hemoglobin. Conclusion: As there is a high prevalence of osteoporosis among diabetics, screening by assessing the BMD must be done in the elderly population to predict the fracture risk (FRAX score), implement appropriate preventive measures, and initiate treatment. Relevance for patients: Based on our findings, patients with diabetes mellitus are more prone to developing osteoporosis, which in turn increases their likelihood to fracture development. In order to prevent further morbidity, diabetics need special care for maintaining their health through the early detection and prevention of such events.

Keywords

Bone mineral density / T-score / FRAX score / Type 2 diabetes mellitus / Fracture risk