Fasting plasma glucose levels are related to bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyroidism.

How glucose levels affect bone in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is unknown, although the prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism is higher in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The present study was performed to examine the relationships between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and various indices in 93 postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyroidism. Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition were measured by dual-energy Xray absorptiometry. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass and % fat were positively related to FPG. Serum levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) as well as bone metabolic indices were not related to FPG and immunoreactive insulin levels. As for BMD, FPG was positively related to the Z scores of BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, although it was not significantly related to the Z-score of BMD at the radius. On the other hand, immunoreactive insulin levels were not significantly related to BMD parameters at any sites. In multiple regression analysis, FPG was significantly related to BMD (Z score) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, when body weight, BMI, immunoreactive insulin, PTH, and bone resorption indices were considered; however, these relationships at the lumbar spine were not significant when fat mass was considered. In conclusion, the present study indicated that FPG levels were positively related to BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyroidism.