Abstract

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women. Insulin resistance represents a prediabetic stage, and the Triglyceride/Glucose (TyG) index serves as a significant biomarker for its assessment. Calculated using fasting triglyceride and glucose levels, the TyG provides a cost-effective and practical screening method, particularly suitable for primary healthcare settings. This study seeks to clarify the relationship between the TyG, diabetes mellitus, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporosis, as well as to examine the effects of these connections on spinal alignment. The sample comprised 140 female individuals categorized into four cohorts: a control group (postmenopausal without osteoporosis, BMD T score >-2), an osteoporosis group, diabetes with osteoporosis group, and diabetes without osteoporosis group. BMD values were acquired by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), and the TyG was calculated from triglyceride and fasting glucose concentrations using a logarithmic model. Deviations in the angle of the vertebral column were also measured. Data regarding radiographic imaging, TyG, and BMD were retrospectively gathered from postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis between January 1, 2020, and December 30, 2023. The findings indicate a significant correlation between the TyG and both diabetes mellitus and bone mineral density, with discernible alterations in vertebral alignment in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. The coexistence of diabetes and osteoporosis may accelerate degenerative processes in bone tissue, leading to the deterioration of bone integrity and the progression of spinal curvature changes.

Key words: Diabetes, bone mineral density, osteoporosis, postmenopause, Triglyceride Glucose Index