Predictive value of the uric acid to high-density cholesterol ratio (UHR) combined with atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) for abnormal bone mineral density in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Abstract

Background and aims: Osteoporosis, characterized by systemic bone mass reduction and microstructural deterioration, is a growing clinical and economic burden. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasingly linked to poor bone health, elevating the risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. The uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) have emerged as novel metabolic indicators, but their combined role in predicting abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the individual and combined contributions of UHR and AIP in predicting abnormal BMD in patients with T2DM.

Methods and results: This retrospective study included 290 patients with T2DM, recruited from a single center between February 2016 and August 2018. Clinical data, including UHR, AIP, and BMD, were analyzed. Multivariable regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between UHR, AIP, and abnormal BMD. Both UHR and AIP were independently associated with abnormal BMD, with stronger associations observed in females and individuals without a history of smoking or drinking. ROC analyses demonstrated modest predictive value for UHR (AUC = 0.5969) and AIP (AUC = 0.6224), with the combined metrics achieving an AUC of 0.6329.

Conclusions: The study highlights that UHR and AIP are negatively associated with total BMD, which can serve as potential predictive markers for abnormal BMD in T2DM patients. A novel clinical prediction model integrating these markers may aid in the early assessment of abnormal BMD risk, facilitating timely preventive interventions.