Study of the Effect of Diabetes Mellitus I on Bone Mineral Density of Upper and Lower Limbs by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Abstract

Background: Bone mineral density (BMD) has been assessed using Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This procedure is considered to be of vital importance in assessing the general condition of individuals concerning their skeletal mineralization. BMD is measured according to the results of the DEXA examination of the vertebral column and pelvis. Although diabetes mellitus (D.M.)is known to affect BMD, the information regarding this relationship is not currently particularly clear. Objective: This study concentrates on the point that the assessment of BMD for the vertebral column is insuffi-cient to give a realistic and correct picture of the mineralization of the remaining part of the skeleton. Besides, this study elicited a generalized view of the mineralization of the different body parts between genders and between the left and right sides of the body. The effect of DM I on BMD was evaluated well in this research. Method: This study involved 165 patients complaining of bone pain (85 male and 80 female), about half of whom suffered from diabetes, involving both genders. Further, 90 healthy volunteers had been studied and were considered to constitute the control group. All individuals (255) in this study were exposed to the study of their BMD via DEXA for all parts of the body. Results: The DEXA exam revealed highly statistically significant differences between the sides of the body in the same subject. In addition, there were significant differences in BMD between females and males and highly statistically significant differences between the control and patient groups with DM I. Finally, this study offered strong evidence that the BMD of the vertebral column and pelvis did not give an accurate picture of mineralization in the different parts of the body for a given subject. In conclusion, the DEXA scan for the whole body and each part separately shows promising results as alternative parameters of the DEXA scan for the spine or hip only for accurate diagnosis. Our results indicate that the BMD of the left and right sides for women was less than for men in all cases (average, osteoporosis, and DMI with osteoporosis) for the same sides and between their upper and lower limbs. Patients with DMI revealed significant reductions in BMD in comparison with other subjects who were not diabetic, even if they had osteoporosis. Keywords: DEXA scan, Osteoporosis, DMI, BMD