Objective To investigate the correlation between retinopathy and osteoporosis in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of different gender. Methods 250 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) hospitalized in the department of endocrinology of our hospital were selected, including 132 males and 118 females. After fundus examination, each group was divided into two groups: retinopathy group as DR (+) and non-retinopathy group as DR (-). General information, age, course of diabetes mellitus, history of drinking, smoking and body mass index (BMI) were recorded respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), microalbuminuria and blood lipids were measured by chemical instrument. Bone mineral density of lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry densitometer. Results In male T2DM group, after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking history and drinking history, compared with DR (-) the diabetic non-retinopathy group, bone mineral density of lumbar spine, hip bone and femoral neck in the diabetic retinopathy group was not significanly different (P>0.05). In female T2DM group, after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking history and drinking history, compared with DR (-) the diabetic non-retinopathy group, bone mineral density of lumbar spine and hip in the diabetic retinopathy group was lower (P<0.05). Conclusion There was no significant correlation between retinopathy and osteoporosis in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but there was a certain correlation between retinopathy and osteoporosis in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. So proactive prevention of diabetic retinopathy in elderly women may play a role in slowing the development of osteoporosis. |