Background
Women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) have an elevated fracture risk. We therefore compared the associations of health behaviors and clinical factors with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone remodeling between premenopausal women with and without T1DM to inform potential interventions.
Methods
Participants included women with T1DM (n=89) from the Wisconsin Diabetes Registry Study and age- and race-matched controls without diabetes (n=76). Peripheral (heel, forearm) and central (hip, spine) BMD, markers of bone resorption and formation, bone cell signaling, glycemic control, and kidney function were assessed. Health behaviors and medical history were self-reported.
Results
In controls, but not in women with T1DM, older age was associated with lower bone resorption (p≤0.006) and formation (p=0.0007). Body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with heel and forearm BMD in both controls and T1DM women (all p<0.0001), but with hip and spine BMD only in controls (p≤0.005). Worse glycemic control during the previous 10 years, greater alcohol intake, history of smoking, and lack of physical activity were associated with poorer bone outcomes only in women with T1DM (all p≤0.002); whereas use of hormonal contraceptives was related to low bone formation in both women with and without T1DM (all p≤0.006). Diabetes duration, insulin dose, residual C-peptide, and kidney function were not associated with bone in T1DM.
Conclusions
Age and BMI may not predict bone health in T1DM women. However modifiable behaviors such as optimizing glycemic control, limiting substance and hormonal contraceptive use, and increasing physical activity may improve bone health in T1DM women.