Every 1 in 11 adults is living with diabetes. Diabetes-related changes could impair bone health, predisposing patients to osteoporosis and related fractures. Thus, the prevention of these problems is of great significance. Although adequate glucose control is a key component to maintaining optimal bone health, other factors may also play a significant role, such as sleep. People with diabetes face more sleep disturbances than their healthy counterparts (e.g., insomnia and sleep apnea). Recent evidence suggests a possible link between sleep and bone metabolism (e.g., bone mineral density) in healthy people. However, whether sleep is associated with bone health in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unknown. There is a need to examine the association between sleep and bone health in this population while controlling for potential confounders including demographics, lifestyle factors, and health-related factors. The aims of this research project are: 1) to examine the associations between sleep and bone mineral density; 2) to examine the associations between sleep and incident osteoporosis. A prospective design will be used. T2D people without osteoporosis at baseline will be included. The outcomes include bone mineral density and incident osteoporosis. The exposures include sleep-related variables such as sleep duration, chronotype, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and sleep apnea. The project will be completed in three years. Upon completion, findings from this project will have important implications for both research and clinical practice. They will add to current knowledge about the impact of sleep on bone health. They may also provide a novel strategy for the prevention of bone-related problems in people with T2D (e.g., osteoporosis and related fractures).
