Introduction: The aim of this study is to examine sclerostin levels in uncomplicated patients T1DM and its correlation with bone metabolism.
Methods/Design: We studied 118 (M/F:53/65) uncomplicated T1DM patients (Group-D) aged >20 and <50 years, diabetes duration>5 years and 50 healthy controls matched for age, sex and body mass index (BMI)(Group-C). In both groups Sclerostin, β-crosslaps, TP1NP and HbA1c were measured and the mean HbA1c of the last 5 years was calculated (HbA1c-5). BMD at lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and total hip (HIP) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was measured.
Results: In Group-D, mean age was 35.4±10.3years, age of diagnosis was 19.2±9.8years, disease duration was 16.6±9.5years, mean HbA1c and HbA1c-5 were 7.8±1.4%, 7.4±1.1, respectively. Z-scores were lower in the Group-D compared to controls in all the 3 regions [(LS: p=0.009), (FN: p=0.000), (HIP: p=0,000)]. Lower sclerostin levels, but not statistically significant, were observed in group-D compared to group-C (D: 19.0±11.6 vs. C: 23.3±13.6, p=0.059). No difference was found between sexes. Β-CrossLaps was significantly lower in the D-group (D: 198.9±19.6 vs. C: 262.5±53.6, p=0.001), but no significant difference was observed in TP1NP (D: 50.34±30.98 vs. C: 58.47±30.74, p=0.256) between the two groups. Regression analysis showed: a negative correlation between sclerostin and bone markers (βCrosslaps: r=-0.0288, p=0.003, TP1NP: r=-0.0255, p=0.009). No correlation was observed between sclerostin and glycemic control. A positive correlation was found between sclerostin and patients’ age (r=0.490, p=0.000) and between sclerostin and BMD in both LS and FN (LS: r=0.311, p=0.001, FN: r=0.183, p=0.049).
Conclusion: Sclerostin levels were lower, but not statistically significant, in T1DM patients compared to controls. Sclerostin was positively correlated with BMD and negative correlation was found with both bone turnover markers. No correlation was found with the metabolic control.
E. Barmpa: None. A. Bargiota: None.
