Reduction in femoral neck and total hip bone mineral density following hospitalisation for diabetes-related foot ulceration

Abstract Management of diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU) includes pressure offloading resulting in a period of reduced activity. The metabolic effects of this are unknown. This study aims to investigate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition 12 weeks after hospitalisation for DFU. A longitudinal, prospective, observational study of 22 people hospitalised for DFU was conducted. Total body, lumbar spine, hip and forearm BMD, and total lean and fat mass were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) during and 12 weeks after hospitalisation for DFU. Significant losses in total hip BMD of the ipsilateral limb (− 1.7%, p