Why Type 1 Diabetes May Increase Fracture Risk—What Research Shows

Type 1 diabetes brings many known complications, from blood sugar management challenges to kidney and eye issues. A newer area of concern for researchers is bone health. Several studies have suggested that people with Type 1 diabetes may break bones more easily than those without the condition, but until now, there hasn't been clear evidence about how much greater this risk really is.

A major new study followed thousands of people over roughly a decade to answer this question. The results confirm what many suspected: Type 1 diabetes does increase fracture risk—but the effect is stronger in some groups than others.

Researchers enrolled people between 2010 and 2013 and asked them detailed questions about their health and habits. Then, around 2022—approximately 10 years later—the team gathered information about any broken bones that had occurred during that time. This type of long-term tracking is considered especially reliable because it captures real-world fracture events rather than relying on memory alone.

By comparing fracture rates between people with Type 1 diabetes and those without, the researchers were able to calculate how much higher the risk truly is.

The data showed that overall, people with Type 1 diabetes had roughly 1.7 times the fracture risk of those without diabetes. But this risk was not evenly distributed across the population.

Women with Type 1 diabetes faced particularly elevated risk—nearly twice as likely to break a bone compared to women without diabetes. Interestingly, men with Type 1 diabetes did not show a significantly higher fracture rate compared to men without the condition. Researchers are still working to understand why this gender difference exists.

Several factors made fracture risk worse for people with Type 1 diabetes: older age, longer time living with diabetes (especially in women), and having reduced physical function or mobility. These patterns held true for both men and women with the condition.

The exact mechanisms behind increased fracture risk in Type 1 diabetes remain unclear and are an active area of investigation. Type 1 diabetes affects metabolism throughout the body, and bone health depends on complex interactions between blood sugar control, hormones, nutrition, and physical activity. Any or all of these could play a role.

What is clear from this study is that the problem is real and warrants attention. If you live with Type 1 diabetes, discussing bone health with your healthcare team—including how to support strong bones through diet, exercise, and blood sugar management—may be worthwhile.

Source: Journal of clinical medicine. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.