Abstract

Aim. The effect of non-insulin-dependent diabetes on development of osteoporosis and age at menopause is not clear. The goals of the current study were to compare the indicators of bone mineral density in three anatomical loci, age at menopause and duration of the fertile period in menopausal non-insulin-dependent diabetics and in the control group.

Method. A case-control study was carried out. A total of 157 volunteers, aged 49 – 66 years, were enrolled in the study. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to the study. Most of the participants (100) were eligible for age-matched analysis. Projected bone mineral density as well as the T- and Z-scores were measured in the lumbar spine, the wrist and the femoral neck. The values of sugar, C-peptide and parathyroidal hormone were determined from the blood and body mass index was calculated. The values of the parameters in the diabetes group and in the control group were compared by the two-tailed t-test.

Results. Body weight and body mass index were larger in the diabetes group (BMI 33.8 ± 6.1 vs. 27.9 ± 4.2, p<0.01). Projected mineral density in the spine and wrist as well as the T-score of the age-matched non-insulin dependent diabetics were significantly higher compared to the controls (p<0.05). The measurements of the femoral neck did not differ significantly between the groups, but higher results were recorded for the diabetes group. Osteo-porosis and osteopenia were somewhat less frequent in the diabetes group (0.05<p<0.1).There was no significant difference in age at menarche or menopause, duration of the fertile period, number of births or pregnancies or the proportion receiving hormone replacement therapy.

Conclusion. We conclude that menopausal non-insulin-dependent diabetics have higher bone mineral density than non-diabetic control subjects. The difference is evident in the lumbar spine and the wrist. Age at menopause and duration of the fertile period do not show significant differences.