Article Text
Abstract
Background Many epidemiological studies have shown that low bone mineral density (BMD) and atherosclerosis appear to be related. However, their precise correlation is not completely understood [1,2].
Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between bone mass and carotid measurements in patients with diabetes type 2 (DT2).
Methods 105 patients both sexes with type 2 diabetes aged 54.69±11.07 years were studied. Control group included 84 healthy subjects the same age. Osteoporosis was defined as a femoral neck BMD T score below -2.5. Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque occurrence were determined by B-mode ultrasound and BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The plaques were measured in both common and internal carotid arteries.
Results BMD and cIMT were inversely associated both in patients and controls. The correlation was stronger in females than in males, and in females, the correlation was stronger after menopause. Patients with DT2, with carotid plaque had higher cIMT at low BMD than at normal BMD, p=0.020. Multiple linear regression analysis reveals that age (p<0.001), smoking (p=0.016), and osteoporosis (p=0.001) were significantly associated with increased cIMT. In women, cIMT was significantly related to age (p=0.01) and osteoporosis (p=0.03). In men, though there was no significant relationship, a trend toward old age and having osteoporosis was observed in increased cIMT (p=0.054, p=0.075).
Conclusions The association between carotid atherosclerosis and bone metabolism has become an increasing focus of interest in recent years [3], and accumulating evidence has shown that atherosclerosis and osteoporosis frequently co-exist. We found inverse association between BMD and carotid measurements in both diabetic patients and controls. Diabetes type 2 patients, especially postmenopausal women, with decreased BMD may have a higher risk of developing coronary atherosclerosis.
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Acknowledgement Thanks to colleagues at our center for technical help and data acquisition.
Disclosure of Interest None declared