The study found that these women exhibited lower bone density and more fractures than women who did not have diabetes, even though those with diabetes were more likely to take bone-active osteoporosis medications and vitamin D supplements. Both groups of women exercised a similar number of hours per week.
The researchers, from the University of Pittsburgh, found one-third of premenopausal women (ages 35-55) with type 1 diabetes reported having a fracture after age 20, compared to less than a quarter of those who did not have diabetes. Women with type 1 diabetes also exhibited substantially lower bone density in the hip, heel bone and overall.
Lead researcher Dr Elsa Strotmeyer, said it’s still unclear why type 1 diabetes affects bone density, however, “it is also likely that even subclinical changes in the cardiovascular system, kidney or nervous system, which are often associated with a longer duration of disease, are influencing bone.”
The researchers concluded that early osteoporosis screening and fracture prevention efforts should be considered for women with type 1 diabetes prior to menopause.