'Virtual Bone Biopsy' Helps Identify Diabetic Patients At Risk Of Fractures

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of bone fractures. However, a new "virtual bone biopsy" that uses high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) to determine bone structure and strength at a microstructural level in living patients may help detect potential problems sooner. 

Researchers at the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, found that images from the technology revealed that many individuals with type 2 diabetes have structural defects within their bones--causing them to weaken and thus, explaining why there are greater fracture rates in older individuals.

"This is a very interesting discovery using a very novel technique. We've known for some time that people with type 2 diabetes are at risk of fracture but have not been able to fully explain why," said lead study author Dr. Mark Edwards, clinical lecturer at the University of Southampton, in a news release. "This new imaging technique has been able to identify that the cortical component of bone -- the outer rim of the bone -- tends to exhibit greater porosity in those with type 2 diabetes compared to those without. We can now see where there is a specific deficit within the bone, which may help clinicians to develop appropriate therapies to prevent future fractures."

The study involved a scanned group of 177 men and 155 women--all of whom were part of the Hertfordshire Cohort Study. Their average age was around 76 years at the time of the study.

The study is published in Calcified Tissue International.

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