A new study from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University has found that more than one in four people with type 2 diabetes also suffer from osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weak and more likely to break. This surprising discovery shows that people with diabetes are at higher risk for bone problems than many might think.
The study looked at 21 research papers from around the world, covering over 11,600 people with type 2 diabetes. The results showed that 27.67% of these people had osteoporosis. That means more than one in four had weaker bones.
Older people with diabetes were even more likely to have osteoporosis. Among those aged 60 and under, about 19% had the disease. But among people over 60, nearly 30% were affected.
Women with diabetes were more likely to have osteoporosis than men. People with obesity were also at higher risk. About 32% of obese diabetic patients had osteoporosis, compared to about 28% of those without obesity.
These findings show that osteoporosis is common among people with diabetes. It’s not just a problem for the elderly or those with a family history of bone issues. Diabetes itself may raise the risk of developing weak bones.
The researchers say doctors should pay more attention to bone health when treating people with diabetes. Weak bones can break more easily, especially in older adults. These breaks can cause serious problems, including pain, limited movement, and loss of independence.
There are steps people with diabetes can take to help protect their bones. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D is one important step.
Doing weight-bearing exercises like walking, dancing, or lifting light weights can also help strengthen bones. Regular check-ups and bone density scans can help find problems early.
This study, led by Xueying Liu and published in the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders, adds to the growing body of evidence showing a strong link between diabetes and bone health. It highlights the need for better prevention and treatment strategies to help diabetic patients keep their bones strong.
Taking care of your bones should be part of managing diabetes, just like watching blood sugar or taking medication. By focusing on both diabetes and bone health, patients can improve their overall well-being and avoid serious problems down the road.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
