Associations between markers of glucose metabolism and bone measures among diabetic and non-diabetic adults

Purpose To investigate the relationships between bone measures, vitamin D status and markers of glucose metabolism among diabetic and non-diabetic adults. Methods Cross sectional study with 298 adults (mean age 57.5 years, SD = 14.8; 44.3% male, 16.9% diabetic) participants of the Health Survey-Sao Paulo (ISA-Capital) 2014-2015. Blood samples were collected to assess serum glucose, insulin and 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed to determine total body fat; total lean mass; full body bone mineral density (BMD); lumbar spine BMD and bone mineral content (BMC); and femur BMD and BMC. Fat mass index (FMI), lean mass index (LMI), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and of beta-pancreatic cell function (HOMA-beta) were calculated. Linear regression analysis were performed. Results Multiple bone measures were associated with markers of glucose metabolism in analyses adjusted by age and sex. However, after additional adjustments by LMI, FMI and serum 25(OH)D, only associations of lumbar spine BMC with HOMA-IR (beta = 0.167; p = 0.035) and QUICKI (beta = -1.879; p = 0.027) persisted, in the subgroup of diabetic participants. Analysis restricted to diabetic subjects revealed stronger correlations between bone parameters and markers of glucose metabolism. Conclusions Our study observed positive associations between BMD and markers of insulin resistance among a sample of adults. Correlations were stronger among diabetic subjects, and some associations between bone and glucose metabolism were independent of adiposity. Findings reinforce the need of further research for better understanding the bidirectional and multifactorial crosstalk between glucose homeostasis and bone metabolism.

Automated summary

The study found positive associations between bone measures and markers of glucose metabolism, particularly among diabetic individuals. Some correlations between bone measures and glucose metabolism markers were independent of adiposity.