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Type 1 diabetes in adolescents linked to low bone mass and altered bone biomarkers
Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) frequently encounter issues related to bone health. Research consistently shows that young individuals with T1D have lower bone mineral density (BMD) than their healthy counterparts. Moreover, children with T1D exhibit compromised bone microarchitecture and decreased bone turnover. Together, these factors heighten the risk of fractures throughout their lifetime (1). In addition, advanced imaging techniques have revealed that the negative impact of T1D on the growing skeleton goes beyond reduced bone density, affecting bone size, shape, and strength (2).
Type 1 diabetes in adolescents linked to low bone mass and altered bone biomarkers
In a recent study, researchers investigated whether adolescents with well-controlled, long-duration type 1 diabetes (T1D) have differences in bone mass and bone biomarkers in comparison with healthy individuals (3). The researchers measured various biomarkers including receptor activator nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL*), Osteoprotegerin (OPG*), Sclerostin (SOST*), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX).
Highlights
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is linked to a higher risk of fractures.
- Prolonged T1D leads to low bone mass and impaired microarchitecture.
- The T1D group showed decreased levels of RANKL and CTX.
In summary: young people with long-term T1D show decreased gain in bone mass, impaired microarchitecture, and suppressed RANKL-driven osteoclast formation, leading to decreased bone resorption. Monitoring bone health is recommended for adolescents with T1D.
*Biomedica ELISA kits were used in this study.
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Literature
- Bone Health in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: Optimizing Bone Accrual and Preventing Fractures. Levran N, Shalev-Goldman E, Levy-Shraga Y. Nutrients. 2025 Jul 23;17(15):2400. doi: 10.3390/nu17152400. PMID: 40805986; PMCID: PMC12348532.
- Bone accrual in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: current knowledge and future directions. Weber DR Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2021 Aug 1;28(4):340-347. doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000638. PMID: 33965967.
- Adolescents with long-duration type 1 diabetes have low bone mass and reduced levels of bone indices reflecting altered bone resorption. Swolin-Eide D, Pundziute Lyckå A, Novak D, Andersson B, Forsander G, Magnusson P.Bone. 2025 Oct;199:117560. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2025.117560. Epub 2025 Jun 4. PMID: 40480641.