The pentosidine levels but not BMD are independently associated with prevalent fractures. Impaired bone quality in T1D may result from increased AGE formation.

Type 1 diabetes contributes to low bone mineral density in women. Previous fractures and low BMI were strong predictors of impaired bone mineral density and should therefore be considered in risk estimation. Fractures are more frequent in Type 1 diabetes. Long-term hyperglycaemia may account for impaired bone strength, independently from bone mineral density.

Sclerostin serum levels were increased in patients with T1DM, and the positive correlation of age with serum sclerostin levels was stronger in T1DM. There was no effect of serum sclerostin levels on markers of bone metabolism and they do not explain the detrimental effects of T1DM on BMD.

TBS values are lower in T1D patients with prevalent fractures, suggesting an alteration of bone strength in this subgroup of patients. Reliable TBS cutoffs for the prediction of fracture risk in T1D need to be determined in larger prospective studies.

No abstract