Study of axial bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis related to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The association of bone mineral density (BMD) with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) related to diabetes mellitus was studied.

Methods: We measured BMD and elevated known determinants of BMD (bone markers) in 35 patients with DISH-related type 2 diabetes mellitus, 47 type 2 female diabetics, and 52 female controls with no systemic disease and no drug administration. All subjects were matched for age and body mass index (BMI). All subjects were in the postmenopausal period.

Results: Among subjects, BMD values were significantly higher in DISH patients than in diabetics and controls (p < 0.05). In addition, the duration of diabetes mellitus was longer in DISH patients and significantly correlated with total hip BMD in DISH patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Patients with DISH have higher BMD, and increased BMD probably results from hyperostosis of the axial skeleton, which may cause decreased fracture risk.