The medical literature is replete with research showing that women who’ve been diabetic for a long time are likely to develop osteoporosis. Researchers at the University of Buffalo have recently completed a study indicating that this bone loss in diabetic girls begins after they enter their teens.
The study involved two groups of 15 adolescent girls, aged 13 to 19. One group of girls had insulin dependent diabetes for at least five years, the other group did not have diabetes. Bone density of the girls was measured at the hip, spine, and wrist. A total body bone mineral density measurement was also taken.
The diabetic girl’s bone density was within normal limits, but it was lower than their counterparts in the control group. When researchers made adjustments for their Body Mass Index (BMI), the diabetic girls had significantly lower bone mineral density in the spine and total body measurements.
Bone density did not appear to be related to either the high glucose levels of poorly controlled diabetics or high blood-insulin levels found immediately after injection of insulin.
Osteoporosis is a disorder consisting of low-bone mass and a deterioration of bone tissue, leading to fragile bones prone to fracture. Women with osteoporosis are particularly vulnerable to broken hips, wrist, and spines incurred during falls.