Florez H, Hernández-Rodríguez J, Carrasco JL, et al. - Glucocorticoid (GC)-treated patients showed elevated odds of diabetes mellitus (DM) in relation to reduced osteocalcin (OC) levels, and only OC was independently related to DM in a model incorporating four bone turnover markers (BTMs).

• This study included 127 patients (aged 61.5 ± 17.9 years) receiving GC treatment; 17.3% presented DM.

• Patients with diabetes exhibited lower levels of OC (7.57 ± 1.01 vs 11.56 ± 1), PINP (21.48 ± 1.01 vs 28.39 ± 1), NTX (24.91 ± 1.01 vs 31.7 ± 1) and CTX (0.2 ± 1.01 vs 0.3 ± 1).

• Following were the differentiating BTM cut-offs for DM presence: < 9.25 ng/mL for OC, < 24 ng/mL for PINP, < 27.5 nMol/mM for NTX and < 0.25 ng/mL for CTX.

• A model, adjusted for GC dose, BMI and age, revealed a significant association of OC with DM (OR: 6.1).