
People living with diabetes are at greater risk of bone fractures, new research led by the University of Sheffield in the UK has found.
The research, conducted in collaboration with scientists from Sutter Health, concluded that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of suffering hip and non-vertebral fractures or those not occurring in the spine or skull.
The findings, revealed during Diabetes Awareness Week last week, show people with type 1 diabetes are at greater risk than people with type 2 diabetes, however insulin use and length of time someone has lived with the condition further increased the risk for people with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes has a number of widely-known complications, however this study highlights the impact of the condition on bone health specifically fractures.
Lead researcher Dr Tatiane Vilaca, from the University of Sheffield's Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, said: Diabetes can cause a number of well-known complications including kidney problems, loss of eyesight, problems with your feet and nerve damage. However, until now many people with diabetes and their doctors are unaware that they are also at greater risk of bone fractures.