Diabetic patients at greater risk of developing osteoporosis

Renowned Joint Replacement Surgeon Dr. Shah emphasizes making bone health assessment mandatory for diabetic care
The spine and orthopedic surgeon advises patients to take better care of bones; will be visiting RAK Hospital on 18th and 19th December, 2015. 

• Type 1 diabetic patients have 60 to 70 percent higher risk of fractures due to lower bone mineral density level
• Older diabetic women suffer rapid bone loss as compared to those who are diabetes-free
• Obesity another reason for fractures, puts more weight on bones

December 13, 2015; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE: Diabetic patients should closely monitor their bone health since they are more at risk of osteoporosis and fractures, warned renowned joint replacement surgeon, Dr. Vikram Shah. Dr. Shah, who will be visiting RAK Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah on 18th and 19th of December from India, advised that people with diabetes should take measures - such as bone density test - to protect themselves, especially if there is a family history of the disease. Both diabetes and bone diseases are growing health problems in the UAE. 

“Even though people do not really club them together, the relationship between diabetes and bone diseases, especially arthritis, is quite established,” says Dr. Shah, “This is particularly worrying in children who have Type 1 diabetes, since low bone growth may result in osteoporosis later in life.” 

Studies suggest that Type 1 diabetic patients have 60 to 70 percent higher risk of fractures. This is due to lower bone mineral density (BMD) level which basically means the amount of minerals in bones is less than the required quantity. BMD also serves as an indirect indicator of osteoporosis and fracture risk.

According to doctors the result is a lower bone turnover, and eventually lower-than-normal bone formation. Although scientists have yet to figure out the reason behind this, one explanation could be the flawed function of osteoblasts, which is the primary cell responsible for bone formation.  High blood sugar could be another reason since it shuts down bone development.

Data also reveals that people with Type 2 diabetes are more prone to fractures as well because of obesity and poor lifestyle, even though their BMD level is relatively high. The cases were more evident in women over 65 years with increase of hip and proximal humerus fractures. Other vulnerable bones include vertebral, forearm, ankle and foot. Available studies also prove that older diabetic women suffer rapid bone loss as compared to those diabetes-free. 

“In the UAE, where we have seen an alarming rise in diabetic cases as well as those of bone diseases, such an equation cannot be taken lightly,” says Raza Siddiqui, CEO Arabian Healthcare Group and Executive Director of RAK Hospital, “Parents in particular need to be more careful and take measures to ensure that their children have good bone health and the right blood sugar levels. Recent reports have unearthed how diabetes goes unnoticed in youngsters because of the lack of outwards symptoms. This could lead to several health complications including weaker bones and other related problems.”