The aim of the study was to explore the clinical efficacy of bisphosphonates in patients with osteoporosis in diabetes patients by meta-analysis. Six databases were systematically searched from inception to January 30,2023. Studies evaluating the treatment of diabetic osteoporosis with bisphosphonates were included. Key outcome measures, such as bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism markers, pain improvement, and safety assessments, were extracted and analyzed. STATA MP V17.0 was used to calculate the combined effect size. After searching Chinese and English databases, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria of this study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the BMD of patients with osteoporosis in diabetes increased significantly after bisphosphonate treatment, and the lumbar BMD increased by 0.08 g/cm² (95% CI: 0.05–0.11). Femoral neck BMD increased by 0.06 g/cm² (95% CI: 0.01–0.11); Ward’s triangle BMD increased 0.07 g/cm² (95% CI: 0.04–0.09); and trochanter BMD increased by 0.06 g/cm² (95% CI: 0.04–0.08). In addition, bone alkaline phosphatase increased 1.95 μg/l (95% CI: 1.18–2.72), while serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b decreased 1.28 U/l (95% CI: –1.81–0.75). Moreover, improvements in pain were statistically significant. The effects of bisphosphonates on osteocalcin (MD: –0.07; 95% CI: –1.12–1.25), serum calcium (MD: 0.01; 95% CI: –0.03–0.04), serum phosphorus (MD: 0.04; 95% CI: –0.03–0.10) and medication safety (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.29–2.37) were not statistically significant. Bisphosphonates have a significant positive effect on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in patients with osteoporosis in diabetes and have good safety.

Received: 05 December 2023

Accepted after revision: 24 March 2024

Article published online:
26 April 2024

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