Relationship between Chinese visceral adiposity index and bone mineral density in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between visceral adiposity and bone mineral density (BMD) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains inconsistent, potentially influenced by glycemic control. The Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index (CVAI) is a validated surrogate marker for visceral fat, but its association with BMD in T2DM is unexplored.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study of 202 T2DM patients (aged ≥40 years) assessed BMD via DXA. CVAI was calculated from age, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, and HDL-C. Participants were stratified by glycemic control (HbA1c < 9% vs. ≥9%). Associations were analyzed using correlation and multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

Higher CVAI correlated with increased BMD at the lumbar spine (r = 0.184) and total hip (r = 0.269). This positive association was significant only in patients with HbA1c < 9% (total hip: r = 0.310) but absent in those with HbA1c ≥9%. CVAI remained an independent positive predictor of total hip BMD (β = 0.358, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex.

CONCLUSION

A moderate level of visceral adiposity, indicated by CVAI, may be associated with higher BMD in T2DM patients with better glycemic control. Optimal glucose management appears critical for preserving this potential skeletal benefit.