Bone Health in Type 1 Diabetes

An increased skeletal fracture risk in diabetes has only recently been recognized. Human studies of patients with diabetes using bone mineral density and bone markers have noted low bone mass and mixed results on remodeling activity. Mouse models of diabetes have suggested that low bone turnover is the underlying problem. Low bone turnover could lead to an accumulation of microdamage that is not repaired causing compromised bone strength. Low bone turnover has not yet been confirmed in humans. This human study is designed to elucidate the effect of Type 1 diabetes on 1) bone remodeling, including histomorphometric and biochemical measures of bone formation and resorption, and 2) on structure, including micro architectural arrangement of trabeculae and bone mineral density.