Serum and urine markers of type I collagen metabolism in elderly women with high and low bone mineral density

The serum markers of bone formation (carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, PICP) and resorption (pyridinoline cross-links containing telopeptide of type I collagen, ICTP), as well as urinary resorption markers, pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr), were studied in 78-year-old women with high ( n  = 18) and low ( n  = 17) bone mineral density (BMD) measured from the calcaneus and tibia. The low-BMD group had higher values for PICP ( P  = 0.025), Pyr ( P  = 0.001) and Dpyr ( P  < 0.001) than the high-BMD group. No inverse relationship between these markers and BMD was, however, observed within the study groups. ICTP, Pyr and Dpyr correlated with each other in both groups and with PICP in the high-BMD group. Higher levels of both the formation and resorption markers of type I collagen suggest an increased rate of bone turnover and remodelling in osteopenic elderly women.     

Age-related bone loss: relationship between age and regional bone mineral density

We assessed the changes in regional bone mineral density according to age and examined the relationship between various regional bone mineral densities. The study was conducted in 985 Japanese women divided into < 50-years group (n = 435) and > or = 50 years group (n = 550). The total body bone mineral density and that of the head, arm, leg, thoracic (T)-spine, lumbar (L)-spine, ribs, and pelvis were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. There was a significant generalized reduction of bone mineral density in all regions after the age of 50 years. The most marked age-related decrease was observed in the L-spine. Bone mineral densities in all regions significantly correlated to each other in both age groups, but the degree of significance varied among regions. The relationship between bone mineral density of the L-spine and that of T-spine regions was the most significant in both groups. In the < 50-years group, the correlation between bone mineral density of the pelvis and that of L-spine and T-spine was the highest, followed by that between the pelvis and the leg. On the other hand, in the > or = 50-years group, the correlation between bone mineral density of the pelvis and that of the leg was the highest, but not the L-spine or T-spine. Since spine measurements are affected by vertebral deformity and/or aortic calcification, our findings suggest the pelvis may be a useful region for screening measurements of bone mineral density, especially in older women.     

Aminoterminal propeptide of type I collagen and bone alkaline phosphatase in the study of bone metastases associated with prostatic carcinoma.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of serum aminoterminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) in the early detection of bone metastases associated with prostatic carcinoma. The results were compared with those of bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (bAP). Levels of total alkaline phosphatase (TAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA), related to the existence of bone metastases, are also evaluated. Fifty-five male patients aged 70-80 years were studied. Nine presented a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the rest clinically confirmed prostatic cancer. Cancer patients were classified in accordance with the staging grouping of the International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM 1992 Revision: stage 0 or BPH (n=9), I (n=6), II (n=12), III (n=18) and IV (n=10). According to this classification, patients of groups BPH, I, II and III have no evidence of metastases. Those of stage IV present any type of metastases. In the case of this work, all patients of group IV presented bone metastases. Some patients of group BPH, I and II were untreated. The rest of the patients were under treatment (radical prostatectomy, telecobaltotherapy or hormonal therapy) for a period of between 6 months and 15 years. Serum PSA (Quimioluminiscence, IMMULITE), PINP (RIA, Orion Diagnostica), bAP (IRMA, Tamdem R-Ostase, Hybritech), and TAP (autoanalyzer) were determined. We found the following sensitivities and specificities (relating the presence of bone metastases to values higher than the upper limit of normality and, in the case of PSA, to values higher than 100 microg/L): (1) PINP: 100% (10/10) and 87% (39/45), (2) bAP: 90% (9/10) and 82% (37/45), (3) TAP: 60% (6/10) and 93% (42/45), (4) PSA: 40% (4/10) and 100% (45/45). These results suggest that PINP and bAP are adequate biochemical markers of bone formation to be used in the detection of bone metastases in prostatic carcinoma, improving the sensitivity and specificity of TAP and PSA. With respect to PINP, bAP presents the disadvantage of its cross-reactivity with liver isoenzyme.     

血清骨钙素水平与绝经后女性2型糖尿病患者骨密度的关系

目的:探讨血清骨钙素水平与绝经后女性2型糖尿病(type 2 diabetes,T2DM)患者骨密度(bone minaral density,BMD)间的关系。方法:本研究为回顾性分析,共纳入505例绝经后女性,其中T2DM住院患者305例,非糖尿病对照者200例,采用双能X线骨密度仪(DXA)检测腰椎(第2至第4腰椎)、股骨颈和全髋的BMD,同时检测血清骨钙素(osteocalcin,OC)水平。结果:与正常对照组相比,T2DM组患者的血清OC水平显著降低(P<0.05),腰椎、股骨颈、全髋的BMD及体质量指数显著增高(P<0.01)均呈显著负相关;校正年龄、体质量指数和糖尿病病程后,血清OC水平与腰椎及全髋的BMD间仍存在明显的负相关。结论:血清OC水平与绝经后女性T2DM患者腰椎及全髋的BMD密切相关,随着OC水平的升高,BMD呈下降趋势,提示血清OC水平可作为早期筛查绝经后女性T2DM患者骨质疏松的生化指标,结合血清OC水平和BMD能更好地预测绝经后女性T2DM患者的骨质疏松和骨折的风险。     

糖尿病大鼠骨折愈合早期局部骨痂组织中Ⅰ型胶原纤维表达和骨密度的变化

背景:糖尿病患者骨折愈合过程中局部骨痂形成较差,成骨细胞增殖能力下降,骨折延迟愈合或者不愈合,而Ⅰ型胶原纤维和钙质成分是骨痂的主要成分。目的:观察糖尿病大鼠骨折愈合早期过程中骨痂组织中Ⅰ型胶原纤维含量和骨密度的变化,分析糖尿病大鼠骨折愈合过程中骨折延迟愈合,或者不愈合的原因。方法:10只腹腔内注射链脲佐菌素破坏胰岛细胞诱导为糖尿病大鼠,10只为正常对照大鼠,腹腔内注射等容量生理盐水。2组大鼠均造成右胫骨斜形骨折,于伤后第1,2,4,6周取骨痂组织进行检测。结果与结论:正常对照组X射线片显示骨痂生成量多,骨折愈合程度明显优于模型对照组(P<0.01),各组Ⅰ型胶原纤维表达均呈上升趋势,在第2周达到峰值,第4周下降,至第6周进一步下降。模型对照组骨痂中Ⅰ型胶原纤维表达和骨密度升高幅度明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01)。提示糖尿病大鼠骨折愈合过程中较正常大鼠骨痂生成下降,骨痂中Ⅰ型胶原纤维表达和骨密度升高幅度同步下降。     

Serum serotonin concentration associated with bone mineral density in Chinese postmenopausal women

Recent studies have shown that circulating serotonin plays a potential role in bone metabolism. However, conflicting results have been reported for the relationship between serum serotonin concentrations and bone mineral density (BMD). We investigated whether the serum serotonin concentrations related to BMD in Chinese postmenopausal women. Serum serotonin and bone turnover concentrations of 117 premenopausal women and 262 asymptomatic postmenopausal women were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The relationship between serotonin and BMD was investigated. The postmenopausal women had lower mean serum serotonin concentrations compared to the premenopausal women. Serotonin concentrations were negatively associated with age, weight, BMI, fat mass, and β-CTX concentrations in postmenopausal women. No significant correlations were found between serotonin and these parameters in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, age- and BMI-adjusted serotonin concentrations were positively correlated with BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Multiple regression analyses showed serum serotonin and β-CTX were the predictors for lumbar spine BMD. Only serum serotonin was the determinant for femoral neck BMD. In conclusion, lower serum serotonin concentrations are linked to low lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD in postmenopausal women.     

Relationships between serum adiponectin,leptin concentrations and bone mineral density,and bone biochemical markers in Chinese women

BackgroundAdiponectin and leptin, as the main circulating peptides secreted by adipose tissue, are potential contributors to bone metabolism. However, their association with bone mineral density (BMD) is unknown. We investigated whether these serum adipocytokines concentrations are associated with BMD and bone turnover markers.MethodsSerum adiponectin, leptin concentrations, bone turnover biochemical markers, and BMD were determined in 265 premenopausal and 336 postmenopausal Chinese women.ResultsIn postmenopausal Chinese women, the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that year since menopause, lean mass, estradiol, and adiponectin, but not fat mass, leptin, were independent predictors of BMD in postmenopausal Chinese women. However, in premenopausal Chinese women, adiponectin was not the predictor of BMD. The significant positive correlations between adiponectin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), bone cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) were found only in postmenopausal women. Serum BAP, and NTX, but not adiponectin, decreased in response to alendronate therapy.ConclusionsAdiponectin was an independent predictor of BMD, and positively correlated with bone turnover biochemical markers in postmenopausal Chinese women, but not premenopausal women. It suggested that adiponectin may exert a negative effect on bone mass by promoting excessive bone resorption associated with bone loss. However, these effects may be mediated by menopausal status.     

Increased serum concentrations of the carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of collagen type I in patients with Gram-negative septicaemia

The authors determined serum levels of the carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide and the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (ICTP and PICP) in 18 patients with Gramnegative septicaemia before (day 0) and 28 days after therapy and in 18 age- and sex-matched controls by radioimmunoassay. Elevated levels of ICTP were observed in septicaemic patients [median (range): 15 (7–49) μg L⁻¹ before therapy and 14 (6–45) μg L⁻¹ 28 days after therapy vs. 2.1 (1.4–4.3) μg L⁻¹ in normal subjects; P  < 0.01 for both], whereas PICP levels were not different between patients and controls [median (range): 119 (52–275) μg L⁻¹ (day 0) and 133 (79–288) μg L⁻¹ (day 28) vs. 91 (54–213) μg L⁻¹ in normal subjects, P  > 0.05 for all]. The findings suggest an increased production or release of ICTP in Gram-negative septicaemia, presumably owing to an alteration of extracellular matrix during septicaemia-related vascular inflammation.     

长沙地区女性促卵泡刺激素水平与骨密度和骨质疏松患病率的关系

目的:调查中国女性年龄相关的血清促卵泡刺激素浓度及其与骨密度和骨质疏松症患病率之间的关系.方法:于2007-06/2008-06选择自长沙和附近地区20～82岁699名健康的中国女性,排除患有影响骨代谢疾病、服用影响骨代谢药物的个体.其中绝经前妇女464名和绝经后妇女235名,绝经年龄为41～59岁.受试者均知情同意并签定了书面协议书.抽空腹静脉血测定血清卵泡刺激素和黄体生成素浓度.用DXA仪测定腰椎、总髋部、前臂超远端骨密度,评价血清促卵泡刺激素与年龄、骨密度和患骨质疏松症风险的关系.结果:促卵泡刺激素约从40岁起随增龄而增加,到60岁又随增龄而下降.促卵泡刺激素与不同部位骨骼的骨密度呈显著负相关.在腰椎、总髋部、前臂超远端,促卵泡刺激素四分位数的骨质疏松症平均患病率分别为0.57%,0.43%,27.1%,30.9%.与一分位数和二分位数比较,四分位数的妇女骨质疏松症患病率和患病风险显著增加;与三分位数比较,处于四分位数的妇女骨质疏松症患病率和患病风险也显著增加,特别是在腰椎.结论:血清促卵泡刺激素水平与骨密度的变化呈负相关,和骨质疏松症的发生呈正相关.     

2型糖尿病女性患者骨密度与骨转换率的相关性

目的探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)女性患者骨密度与骨转换及骨重建的相关性。方法回顾性分析纳入在南方医科大学第三附属医院内分泌科住院的201例T2DM女性患者住院期间的临床数据,采用双能X线骨密度仪,测量骨密度,包括腰椎、左侧股骨颈和髋部总体,将纳入对象分为骨量正常组85例(T>-1)、骨量减少组87例(-2.5 < T < -1)和骨质疏松组29例(T < -2.5),检测骨钙素N端中分子片段和β-Ⅰ型胶原C-末端交联分别评估骨形成和骨吸收。根据骨形成和骨吸收的T值分别计算骨转换率和骨重建率,比较T2DM患者骨质疏松组和骨量正常组患者的的骨转换率T值以及骨重建率T值的差异,并评估T2DM女性患者骨转换率T值和骨重建率T值与骨密度之间的相关性。结果T2DM女性患者骨质疏松组的骨转换率T值与T2DM女性患者骨量正常组的骨转换率T值差异有统计学意义(P=0.041),T2DM女性患者骨转换率T值与髋部骨密度负相关(r=-0.14,P =0.049)。校正糖化血红蛋白后,T2DM女性患者骨转换T值与髋部仍呈骨密度负相关(r=-0.144,P=0.043)。结论在T2DM女性患者中,随着骨转换率的增高,患者骨密度越低,并发低创伤性骨折的风险也会随之增高。     

Relationship of age-related concentrations of serum FSH and LH with bone mineral density, prevalence of osteoporosis in native Chinese women

BackgroundFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) may play an important role in bone mass regulation in postmenopausal women.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 699 healthy Chinese women, aged 20 to 82 y, was conducted. Serum FSH and LH and BMD were measured at the posteroanterior (PA) spine, lateral spine, total hip, and distal forearm.ResultsThe geometric mean values (± SD) of serum FSH and LH in premenopausal women were 3.94 ± 2.08 and 7.51 ± 2.58 IU/l, respectively, and in postmenopausal women were 28.8 ± 1.88 and 25.6 ± 1.95 IU/l, respectively. The correlation of FSH to BMD at different skeletal regions (r = ? 0.597 – ? 0.492, P = 0.000) was higher than that of LH to BMD (r = ? 0.452 – ? 0.332, P = 0.000). The prevalences of osteoporosis for the quartiles of FSH at various skeletal sites were 0.57%, 0.43%, 27.1%, and 30.9%, respectively; and of LH were 2.14%, 4.43%, 19.5%, and 26.0%, respectively. The prevalence of osteoporosis in 3rd and 4th quartile was more significantly increased than the 1st and 2nd quartile.ConclusionsThese data suggest that FSH and LH levels in circulation are associated with BMD changes and osteoporosis occurrence in Chinese women.     

绝经后女性2型糖尿病患者骨密度的变化及相关因素分析

目的　探讨绝经后女性 2型糖尿病 (T2DM)患者骨密度 (BMD)改变及其相关因素。方法　用X线骨密度仪测定 112例绝经后T2DM患者和 74例非糖尿病对照者正位腰椎 (L2 ～L4)及股骨近端 [Neck区、Ward区、GT(大转子 ) ]BMD ,血钙 (Ca)、磷 (P)、碱性磷酸酶 (ALP) ,病例组加测糖化血红蛋白 (HbA1c)、血脂浓度。结果　绝经后T2DM患者L2 、L3 、L4、Neck、Ward区、GT的BMD值高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ;L2 ～L4BMD高于对照组 ,差异无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。除L2 外 ,糖尿病 5年以上组 (DM B)上述各部位BMD低于 5年及以下组 (DM A组 )。多元逐步回归分析后显示 :年龄与Neck、Ward区、GTBMD显著负相关 (P <0 .0 1) ,绝经年限与L2 、L2 ～L4BMD明显负相关 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,HbA1c同L2 、L3 、L2 ～L4BMD明显负相关 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,体重指数 (BMI)与L2 、GTBMD明显正相关 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,病程、血脂与骨密度无显著相关。T2DM患者血钙、血磷、ALP与对照组者比较差异无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论　绝经后T2DM患者各部位BMD明显高于对照组 ;年龄、绝经年限、血糖控制不良是BMD危险因素 ;BMI可能是T2DM患者BMD保护性因素之一     

女性2型糖尿病患者踝肱指数与骨密度的相关性

目的:糖尿病患者常伴发骨质疏松症及外周动脉疾病,研究表明动脉硬化与骨质疏松存在共同的病理生理基础。分析2型糖尿病女性患者踝肱指数与骨密度的相关性。方法:①对象及分组:选择2004-01/2007-12解放军第二炮兵总医院内分泌科住院的2型糖尿病的女性患者230例(年龄36～88岁,平均(63.87±10.80)岁;糖尿病病程1个月～25年),以踝肱指数比值大小分两组,分别是踝肱指数≥0.9组和踝肱指数<0.9组。②测量方法和评估:采用ES-1000SPM多普勒血流探测仪及美国NORLAND公司生产的双能X射线骨密度仪对测定患者踝肱指数,以及L2～4、左侧股骨颈、大转子、Wards三角区骨密度及生化指标。结果:230例患者全部进入结果分析。①2型糖尿病患者中踝肱指数<0.9者50例,占21.7%,踝肱指数≥0.9者180例,占78.3%。②两组相比,踝肱指数<0.9组患者年龄大,糖尿病病程长,收缩压高,股骨颈、大转子、Wards区骨密度值低,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、尿素氮、肌酐及log10(UAlb)值高,有吸烟史者比例高,高血压、脑梗塞、糖尿病肾病合并症发生率高,差异均有显著性(P<0.05)。③以踝肱指数值为因变量进行多元线性回归显示,踝肱指数与大转子骨密度呈正相关(偏回归系数为0.788,P=0.000)。结论:踝肱指数<0.9组患者骨密度值低于踝肱指数≥0.9组患者。对存在危险因素的糖尿病患者应进行踝肱指数检测及骨密度检查,以便尽早发现是否合并外周动脉疾病或骨质疏松症,并进行必要的干预。     

男性2型糖尿病患者病程与骨密度和骨代谢指标关系的研究

目的　评价男性 2型糖尿病患者病程与骨密度和骨代谢指标的变化的关系。方法　同时测定2 4例正常人和 6 2例男性 2型糖尿病患者的骨密度 (BMD)、血骨钙素 (BGP)、骨型特异性碱性磷酸酶 (BAP)、Ⅰ型胶原氨基末端肽 (NTx)、甲状旁腺素 (PTH)、血钙、血磷和血浆白蛋白。根据病程将糖尿病分为Ⅰ组 :病程 <5年 ,31例 ;Ⅱ组 :病程 5～ 10年 ,2 0例 ;Ⅲ组 :病程 >10年 ,11例。结果　与正常对照组 (K组 )比较 ,Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组患者BMD、BGP、BAP、PTH和NTx差异无显著意义 (P >0 0 5 ) ;Ⅲ组糖尿病BMD明显下降 ,P <0 0 5 ;BGP、BAP、NTx和PTH显著增高 ,P <0 0 1。结论　病程 (大于 10年 )是男性 2型糖尿病患者骨质疏松症的重要危险因素。     

女性系统性红斑狼疮患者骨密度与疾病活动性关系研究

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者骨密度与疾病活动性关系.方法 选择92例SLE患者和92例健康对照,均为女性.检测所有纳入对象血清25（OH）D水平.采用SLE疾病活动指数（SLEDAI）评价SLE患者病情活动性,并根据SLEADI评分分为非活动组（n=26）、轻度活动组（n=35）、中度活动组（n=26）、重度活动组（n=5）,采用骨密度仪测量SLE患者双侧股骨颈、股骨大转子、全髋、腰椎L1-L4的骨密度,并进行统计分析.结果 SLE患者血清25（OH）D水平为23.82±5.92 ng/ml,健康对照者为44.82±7.92 ng/ml,存在显著差异（P〈0.001）;重度活动组血清25（OH）D水平显著低于轻度活动组和非活动组（P均〈0.05）.重度活动组患者左右侧股骨颈、左右侧大转子显著低于非活动组和轻度活动组.重度活动组左右侧全髋关节骨密度显著低于非活动组（P均〈0.05）.相关分析发现左右侧股骨颈、左右侧大转子、全髋关节骨密度与SLEDAI评分具有较好的相关性.结论 女性SLE患者维生素D水平降低及骨密度降低与SLE疾病活动性存在关联.应积极防治SLE患者骨密度降低及骨质疏松的发生.     

Explore the effectors of bone mineral density in community women

Epidemiological studies that involve Asian women have revealed that their bone mineral density (BMD) is lower than that of European and American women. Few studies have simultaneously investigated the cognition, beliefs and behavior that affect BMD. The first aim of this study was to elucidate the relationships between demographics, knowledge of osteoporosis, health beliefs about osteoporosis, health-related behavior and BMD. The secondary goal was to explore the major predictive factors that affect the BMD of women in Community. This was an exploratory, community-based, cross-sectional study. Participants (N = 98) completed the osteoporosis related questionnaire and were invited to undergo BMD examinations using quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Overall, 73.4% of the participants had heard of the disease but the proportion of correct responses to the questions that tested knowledge of osteoporosis was only 44.0%. The investigation into osteoporosis-related beliefs revealed that women held quite accurate beliefs regarding the prevention of osteoporosis, but only 23.6% of them had undergone a BMD examination. An adjusted odds ratio indicated that if women had normal BMD then they were 1.57 times (95% CI: 1.08-2.29), 1.10 times (95% CI: 1.00-1.12) and 2.74 (95% CI: 1.09-6.86) times than their counterparts, respectively. The results revealed that women with normal BMD were more likely to have positively self-rated health, knowledge of osteoporosis and preventive behavior than their counterparts. The findings indicated that BMD was subjectively determined by a combination of cognitive and behavioral factors. Early detection was the key to preventing osteoporosis.     

Young women with type 1 diabetes have lower bone mineral density that persists over time

OBJECTIVE—Individuals with type 1 diabetes have decreased bone mineral density (BMD), yet the natural history and pathogenesis of osteopenia are unclear. We have previously shown that women with type 1 diabetes (aged 13–35 years) have lower BMD than community age-matched nondiabetic control subjects. We here report 2-year follow-up BMD data in this cohort to determine the natural history of BMD in young women with and without diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 2 years later in 63 women with type 1 diabetes and in 85 age-matched community control subjects. A1C, IGF-1, IGF binding protein-3, serum osteocalcin, and urine N-teleopeptide were measured at follow-up.RESULTS—After adjusting for age, BMI, and oral contraceptive use, BMD at year 2 continued to be lower in women ≥20 years of age with type 1 diabetes compared with control subjects at the total hip, femoral neck, and whole body. Lower BMD values were observed in cases <20 years of age compared with control subjects; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Lower BMD did not correlate with diabetes control, growth factors, or metabolic bone markers.CONCLUSIONS—This study confirms our previous findings that young women with type 1 diabetes have lower BMD than control subjects and that these differences persist over time, particularly in women ≥20 years of age. Persistence of low BMD as well as failure to accrue bone density after age 20 years may contribute to the increased incidence of osteoporotic hip fractures seen in postmenopausal women with type 1 diabetes.Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder resulting in loss of pancreatic insulin-producing β-cells that presents in childhood or early adulthood. Along with increased risk of complications including retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular events, adults with type 1 diabetes have decreased bone mineral density (BMD) compared with control subjects (1,2). In fact, osteoporosis is the most significant metabolic bone disease in individuals with diabetes (3). Patients with diabetes are at risk for osteoporosis and its complications, including hip fracture (4,5).Recent studies demonstrate that diabetes is associated with alterations in bone health in children and adolescents. Prepubertal and pubertal patients with type 1 diabetes (aged <15 years) have decreased bone mass measured both by duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan and quantitative ultrasound (6–8). These observations suggest that adverse effects on bone health may occur early after the diabetes diagnosis. Understanding the natural history of BMD changes in young adults with type 1 diabetes may elucidate how the disease progresses and provide opportunities for prevention of significant bone loss and, presumably, fracture.We demonstrated previously that premenopausal women (aged 20–35 years) with type 1 diabetes have lower BMD at the femoral neck and lateral spine than nondiabetic control subjects (7). This difference was not associated with diabetes duration, metabolic control, or biochemical markers of bone formation, a finding supported by previous work (9,10). Few studies have followed young women longitudinally to assess whether bone mineral acquisition or turnover play a role in the natural history of low BMD in diabetes. The aim of this study was to address the natural history of bone metabolism in type 1 diabetes by performing a follow-up DEXA 2 years after baseline enrollment to determine whether differences persist over time.