Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes at King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction Osteoporosis mainly affects postmenopausal women and is characterized by decreasing bone mass and an increased risk of fracture. As populations age, it becomes more common and is frequently missed until fractures happen. Simultaneously, there is conflicting evidence about the relationship between bone health and diabetes, a chronic metabolic illness, with varying effects on the skeletal system. In light of the rising incidence of both disorders, this study examines the relationship between diabetes and osteoporosis/osteopenia in patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods At KAUH, Jeddah, a retrospective study on 423 type 2 diabetes patients (2011-2021) was conducted, analyzing clinical outcomes, including BMI and blood glucose levels, using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board, ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Guidelines. Results In this study, 423 diabetic patients with an average body mass index (BMI) of 29.12 kg/m² and ages ranging from 24 to 104 years (mean, 63.67) were primarily male, with 216 patients accounting for 51.1%. A total of 227 patients (53.7%) were aged 60-79 years. Most participants, 400 patients (94.6%), had average bone mineral density (BMD), while 161 patients (38.1%) were classified as obese. Among those with abnormal BMD, 23 patients (5.4%); 12 (2.8%) were identified as having osteopenia, and 11 (2.6%) were diagnosed with osteoporosis. Glycemic management and bone health indicators were examined in the lab, along with comprehensive BMD and T/Z scores. Conclusion This study enhances our understanding of the relationship between type 2 diabetes and bone health, emphasizing the importance of individualized evaluations for high-risk populations. Further research is needed to explore the complex interplay between diabetes, bone health, and demographic factors, to inform more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.