Diabetes and bone fracture risk: The duration of diabetes matters

This study examined the impact of diabetes duration on bone fracture risk. Researchers concluded that the presence of diabetes significantly increased the risk of bone fractures. Higher risks were observed for patients with longer durations of diabetes.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. It has been estimated that type 2 diabetes increases the risk of major bone fractures by 20 to 30% and the risk of hip fractures by 70 to 80%. However, less is known about the effect of diabetes duration on bone fractures. Some studies have reported no effect with duration, while others found an increased risk with even a short duration of diabetes. More high-quality studies are needed to examine the effect of diabetes duration on bone fracture risk.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of diabetes duration on bone fracture risk in a large patient group.

The records of 8,840 women with type 2 diabetes were analyzed. 31.4% of these had diabetes for more than 10 years. 20.1% had diabetes for 5 to 10 years. 23.7% had diabetes for less than 5 years. 24.8% of women had newly diagnosed diabetes. The incidence of bone fractures was compared to 49,098 women without diabetes over a period of 7 years.

Overall, diabetic women were significantly more likely than non-diabetic women to suffer a bone fracture. The risk for a major bone fracture was increased by 19% and the risk of hip fractures was increased by 66%.

In an analysis of the different duration groups, only women with diabetes for more than 10 years had a significantly increased risk of a major bone fracture. The risk was increased by 34%. Previous insulin treatment did not affect this result.

All durations were associated with a significantly increased risk of hip fractures. However, the risk increased with diabetes duration. For instance, the risk of hip fractures was 32% higher for women with newly diagnosed diabetes. In contrast, hip fracture risk was increased 2.1-fold for women with diabetes for more than 10 years. Previous insulin treatment did not affect this result.

Researchers concluded that the risk of bone fractures increases with the duration of diabetes.

Only women were examined in this study. Also, other factors that may have affected bone fracture risk were not accounted for. These included the possibility of type 1 diabetes in some patients, blood glucose levels, bone mineral density (the amount of calcium in the bones), smoking status, physical activity, and the patient’s weight.

Discuss your risk of bone fracture with your doctor.