RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although many reports have elucidated pathophysiological characteristics of abnormal bone metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DT2), determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with DT2 are still controversial. METHODS: We examined 168 Belarussian men 45-60 years of age. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)), immunoreactive insulin, and C-reactive protein concentrations were assessed. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray densitometry of the lumbar spine (L(1)-L(4)). Total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured, and free testosterone (FT) was calculated. RESULTS: Using univariate linear regression analysis, BMD of the lumbar spine was significantly correlated with FT (r=0.32, p<0.01) and TT (r=0.36, p<0.01). Using multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, BMD was significantly correlated with TT (ß=0.23, p<0.001) and TC (ß=-0.029, p=0.005). Age (ß=0.005, p=0.071), body mass index (ß=0.005, p=0.053), HbA(1c) (ß=-0.002, p=0.72) and duration of diabetes (ß=0.001, p=0.62) were not significantly correlated with BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that androgens are independent determinants of BMD in male patients with DT2.
