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Diabetes sufferers have higher-than-normal levels of blood
sugar because their body is unable to properly produce or
utilize insulin, a
hormone that helps remove excess sugar from the blood. Symptoms
of diabetes include excessive thirst; frequent urination;
weight loss; weariness; blurred vision; and recurrent infections.
A recent study in Diabetes Care sought to determine
whether postmenopausal diabetic women were more likely to
experience hip fractures than women without diabetes. A mail
survey of over 30,000 women between the ages of 55 and 69
contained questions regarding diabetes status and risk factors;
after 11 years, hip fracture incidents were recorded from
a follow-up survey. Women were classified with type 1 diabetes
if they developed the disorder at age 30 or younger, and with
type 2 diabetes, the most common form, if developed after
age 30.
 Women with type 1 diabetes were over 12 times more
likely to suffer hip fracture than women without diabetes;
type 2 diabetics were nearly twice as likely to experience
hip fracture. Other factors associated with higher hip-fracture
rates were longer time periods since diagnosis, use of insulin,
and use of diabetes medications.
If you suffer from diabetes, be sure to take precautions
to avoid falling. Although you may require insulin and medication
for the disorder, follow your nutritional guidelines as strictly
as possible to minimize blood sugar extremes. Although a family
history of the disease is the primary cause of diabetes, obesity,
smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure can all
accelerate the development of this condition.
Reference:
Nicodemus KK, Folsom AR. Type 1 and type 2
diabetes and incident hip fractures in postmenopausal women.
Diabetes Care 2001: 24, pp.1192-1197.
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