A new study from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in China has found that more than one in four people with type 2 diabetes also suffer from osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones and increases the chances of fractures, especially in older adults.
The researchers looked at 21 studies done before July 2022, which included a total of 11,603 people with type 2 diabetes. They found that about 27.67% of these people had osteoporosis. This means that for every four people with type 2 diabetes, at least one also has weak bones.
The study also showed that age plays a big role. Among people with diabetes who were 60 or younger, about 19.17% had osteoporosis. But in those over 60, the number was much higher—29.61%. This shows that the risk of bone problems grows as people with diabetes get older.
Women with diabetes were more likely to have osteoporosis than men. The condition was also more common in diabetic patients who were obese. About 32.02% of obese people with diabetes had weak bones, compared to 28.36% of those who were not obese.
Most of the studies the researchers looked at were considered high quality, which makes the results more reliable. The researchers stressed that osteoporosis is a serious and common issue for people with diabetes and that more attention should be given to preventing and treating it.
People with diabetes already face many health risks, and having weak bones adds even more problems. Broken bones can lead to long recovery times, pain, and trouble moving around, especially for older people.
To prevent osteoporosis, it’s important for people—especially those with diabetes—to eat healthy foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Doing regular weight-bearing exercises, like walking or light jogging, can also help keep bones strong. Getting regular checkups to test bone strength is also important, especially as people get older.
The study was led by researcher Xueying Liu and was published in the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders. It adds to the growing amount of research showing that diabetes and bone health are closely linked.
This research sends a strong message to doctors and healthcare providers. It shows that caring for bone health should be a regular part of managing diabetes. By doing so, it could lower the number of people with broken bones and help improve the lives of people with diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
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