Sex differences in the association between bone mineral density and lipid profiles in people with type 2 diabetes in southwest China.

AIMS: To explore the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and lipid levels among different genders in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) across Southwest China, potentially providing a reference for future risk stratification research on osteoporosis in this population.

METHODS

Clinical data from 355 people with T2D admitted to Xinqiao Hospital between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation among serum lipid levels and BMD in people with T2D of distinct genders were investigated.

RESULTS

Subgroup analysis revealed a significant interactive effect of sex on the lipid and BMD. Regarding lipid profiles, serum triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) concentrations showed positive correlations with left femoral neck BMD in men with T2D (r = 0.139, r = 0.146, p < 0.05, respectively), and serum lipoprotein-a and ApoE levels were positively correlated with spinal BMD in women with T2D (r = 0.178, p < 0.05; r = 0.231, p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels demonstrated a significant positive correlation with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in women with T2D (r = 0.345, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum calcium levels serve as a protective predictor of osteoporosis in men with T2D (p < 0.05). Conversely, apolipoprotein A1 emerged as an independent risk factor for osteoporosis in women with T2D (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In men with T2D, appropriate TG levels were positively associated with bone mass (femoral neck BMD). Among women with T2D, HDL levels were negatively associated with osteoporosis-related markers. ApoE levels are positively correlated with BMD in both sexes.