Clinical aspects and management of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in patients with diabetes

Both diabetes and osteoporosis are assuming epidemic proportions throughout the world. Accumulating data suggest that both types 1 and 2 diabetes are associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. This increased risk appears to be largely independent of bone mineral density (BMD) which is most often noted to be low in type 1 diabetes and normal or increased in type 2 diabetes. This review explores the clinical characteristics of bone fragility in patients with diabetes and highlights studies that have evaluated BMD and fracture prediction tools in these patients. It also briefly reviews the current management principles of osteoporosis in diabetes, with special emphasis on the impact of diabetes medications on bone health as well as explores the efficacy of currently available antiosteoporosis pharmacotherapy in the diabetic population.