People with diabetes at greater risk of bone fractures – new study

Type 1 or type 2 diabetes increase chances of fracture, says new research from the University of Sheffield.

One in 15 people in the UK have diabetes, but until now bone fracture was not a well-known complication of the condition. Now experts have found that:

• People with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of hip fractures compared to people with type 2 diabetes;
• Insulin use and length of time someone has lived with the condition increases risk of fractures for those with type 2 diabetes.

“We need to raise awareness about the greater risk people with diabetes face to help them to prevent fractures,” explains Dr Tatiane Vilaca, lead researcher. “For example, preventing falls can reduce their risk of fracture.”

Professor Richard Eastell, also involved in the work comments: “We hope that by raising awareness about the greater risk people with diabetes face, bone density and bone strength will become something that doctors assess routinely in patients with the condition in the same way they do currently for other well-known complications.”

Interested? Read more about bones and osteoporosis here.

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