Correlation between vascular endothelial function and bone mineral density in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with MAFLD

Objective: The relationship between vascular endothelial function and bone mineral density (BMD) in T2DM patients with metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver (MAFLD) is still unclear. This study aims to analyse the correlation between vascular endothelial function and BMD or fracture risk in T2DM patients with MAFLD. Methods: A total of 872 T2DM patients aged >= 50 years were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the diagnostic criteria of MAFLD: MAFLD (+) and MAFLD (-). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured by high-resolution ultrasound to reflect vascular endothelial function. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray bone densitometry, and FRAX scores were calculated for 10-year hip fracture risk (HF1) and major osteoporotic fracture risk (MOF). Results: After multivariate adjustment, there was no significant correlation between FMD and BMD in MAFLD (-) group (p > 0.05). In MAFLD (+) and FMD < 4% group, FMD was positively correlated with WB, LS, and FN BMD, while FMD was negatively correlated with fracture risk and osteoporotic fracture history, and this correlation was only observed in female patients. However, FMD was not correlated with BMD and fracture risk and osteoporotic fracture history in 4%<= FMD <= 7% and FMD > 7% groups. Conclusions: The association of FMD with BMD in T2DM patients with MAFLD varies according to FMD level. The decrease of FMD is associated with reduced BMD and increased fracture risk in female patients with FMD < 4% group. FMD may be an influential factor for the occurrence and development of osteoporosis, and has some clinical value in early diagnosis of osteoporosis in T2DM patients with MAFLD.