In a recently published review that provides information on fracture risk in type 1 diabetes patients, researchers suggest there is a need for early evaluation and fracture-prevention strategies.
The review, by the International Osteoporosis Foundation Bone and Diabetes Scientific Working Group, provides endocrinologists with information regarding fracture risk in type 1 diabetes patients.
It was published recently in the European Journal of Endocrinology, per a media release from the International Osteoporosis Foundation.
The higher fracture risk in T1DM patients is not only due to decreased bone mineral density, but also to alterations in bone quality. Recent clinical studies point to impaired osteoblastic bone formation, with or without increased bone resorption. Insulin deficiency also appears to be a major pathophysiological mechanism involved, along with other metabolic alterations that may all play a role in altering bone turnover and bone quality, the release explains.
As the onset of T1DM often occurs during childhood, the assessment and management of bone health in the young is of special concern. General measures to prevent osteoporosis in children with early onset of diabetes include a balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake and, in particular, sufficient physical activity. Increasing weight-bearing exercise in children with diabetes as well as good glycaemic control appears to provide some improvement of bone parameters, the release adds.
“As fragility fractures are a major complication of diabetes, fracture risk should be properly evaluated in patients with this disorder,” explains Serge Ferrari, chair of the IOF Bone and Diabetes Working Group and Professor at the Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland, in the release.
“Research is urgently needed on the benefits and risks of osteoporosis therapy as so far none of the anti-osteoporotic agents have been tested for their anti-fracture efficacy in T1DM subjects. This is all the more reason for health professionals to focus on early evaluation and other fracture prevention strategies in their patients,” Ferrari adds.
[Source(s): International Osteoporosis Foundation, Science Daily]
