Type 2 diabetes is associated with higher trabecular bone density but lower cortical bone density: the Vietnam Osteoporosis Study

It is not clear why type 2 diabetes (T2D) has an increased risk of fracture despite higher areal bone mineral density. This study showed that compared with controls, T2D patients had higher trabecular bone density but lower cortical bone density, resulting in a lower bone strength. To define the association between type 2 diabetes and bone architecture and measures of bone strength. The study was part of the Vietnam Osteoporosis Study, in which 1115 women and 614 men aged ae 30 were randomly recruited from Ho Chi Minh City. HbA(1c) levels were measured with analyzers ADAMS (TM) A(1c) HA-8160 (Arkray, Kyoto, Japan). The diagnosis of T2D was made if HbA1c was ae 6.5%. Trabecular and cortical volumetric bone density (vBMD) was measured in the forearm and leg by a pQCT XCT2000 (Stratec, Germany). Polar stress strain index (pSSI) was derived from the pQCT measurements. Difference in bone parameters between T2D and non-diabetic individuals was assessed by the number of standard deviations (effect size [ES]) by the propensity score analysis. The prevalence of T2D was similar to 8%. The results of propensity score matching for age, sex, and body mass index in 137 pairs of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals showed that T2D patients had significantly higher distal radius trabecular vBMD (ES 0.26; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.50), but lower cortical vBMD (ES - 0.22; - 0.46 to 0.00) and reduced pSSI (ES - 0.23; - 0.47 to - 0.02) compared with non-diabetic individuals. Multiple linear regression analysis based on the entire sample confirmed the results of the propensity score analysis. Compared with non-diabetic individuals, patients with T2D have greater trabecular but lower cortical vBMD which leads to lower bone strength.