Diabetics more prone to fractures

Compared to the general population, people suffering from diabetes have a higher risk of fracturing their hip.People suffering from diabetes are prone to diabetes-related complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, which can cause loss of vision; peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disorder that may impair the ability to walk or balance; low blood sugar, which can result in patients feeling dizzy and fainting; and stroke - all of which may increase the risk of falls. Apart from this, impaired bone quality may be another reason for the increased risk of hip fractures among diabetics. To examine the relationship between diabetes and fractures, researchers at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran reviewed a total of 16 studies that included 836,941 adults and 139,531 fractures. The results showed a strong association between both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and increased risk of hip fracture in men and women. Out of the 16 studies, 12 indicated that diabetics were 70 percent more likely to fracture a hip, a statistically significant difference. Six studies found a statistically significant increased risk in hip fracture for type 1 diabetes patients, who were more than 6-times more likely to break a hip.Thus, diabetics need better care to prevent complications and should be extra careful to prevent fractures.