Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

IGF-1 Linked to Bone Health in Type 1 Diabetes

Last updated September 9, 2026

Key finding

Bone mineral density z-scores at lumbar spine were approximately 0.5 SDS lower than reference values (p=0.005–0.04).

This study investigated the link between glycemic control and bone health in adolescents with poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes, finding no significant changes in HbA1c levels but some variations in bone mineral density.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Long-Term (1–5 y)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the link between glycemic control and bone health in adolescents with poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes, finding no significant changes in HbA1c levels but some variations in bone mineral density.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the relationship between glycemic control and bone health is crucial for managing adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Poor bone health can lead to long-term complications, and identifying factors that influence bone density can help in developing targeted interventions to improve overall health outcomes in this population.

Keep in mind

The study had a limited sample size, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. The follow-up duration of 12 months may not capture long-term effects. No significant changes in HbA1c levels were observed, raising questions about intervention effectiveness.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Mari-Anne P, Tero V, Sanna T, et al. Investigating the Association Between Glycemic Control and Bone Health in Adolescents with Poorly Controlled Type 1 Diabetes. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. 2025;13(5):e005134. doi:10.1136/bmjdrc-2025-005134

Main Effects

Bone mineral density z-scores at lumbar spine were approximately 0.5 SDS lower than reference values (p=0.005).

An increase in proximal femur z-scores was observed in girls during the 12-month follow-up.

Bone mineral density z-scores at total body less head were approximately 0.5 SDS lower than reference values (p=0.005).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Control Group Usual Activity, Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) and HbA1c, No Vertebral Fractures, Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Proximal Femur, and 3 more.

Primary intervention

Control Group Usual Activity

Primary outcomes

  • HbA1c
  • No Vertebral Fractures
  • Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Proximal Femur

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
2
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

2

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

553

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 2 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Bone Mineral Density

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

HbA1c

Control Group Usual Activity → HbA1c

Control Group Usual Activity → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
75
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

No Vertebral Fractures

Control Group Usual Activity → No Vertebral Fractures

Control Group Usual Activity → No Vertebral Fractures

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Bone mineral density (BMD)

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Bone mineral density (BMD)

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Bone mineral density (BMD)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Proximal Femur

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Proximal Femur

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Proximal Femur

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
85
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Total Body Less Head

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Total Body Less Head

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Total Body Less Head

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total IGF-1 levels measured after overnight fasting

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Total IGF-1 levels measured after overnight fasting

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) → Total IGF-1 levels measured after overnight fasting

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Bone mineral density z-scores at lumbar spine were significantly lower than reference values.
  • Proximal femur z-scores increased in girls during the study.
  • No vertebral fractures were detected in participants.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adolescents aged 10-19 with poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Participants experiencing challenges in glycemic control.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not be applicable to adolescents with well-controlled diabetes.
  • The study focused on a specific age group, limiting broader applicability.
  • Further research is needed to explore long-term effects on bone health.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study had a limited sample size, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
  • The follow-up duration of 12 months may not capture long-term effects.
  • No significant changes in HbA1c levels were observed, raising questions about intervention effectiveness.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Control Group Usual Activity and HbA1c, Control Group Usual Activity and No Vertebral Fractures.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Control Group Usual Activity lower HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Control Group Usual Activity for HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Control Group Usual Activity improve no vertebral fractures?

Emerging Evidence

Control Group Usual Activity appears to improve no vertebral fractures.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    No Vertebral Fractures

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) improve bone mineral density z-scores at proximal femur?

Emerging Evidence

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) appears to improve bone mineral density z-scores at proximal femur.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Bone Mineral Density z-scores at Proximal Femur

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) improve total igf-1 levels measured after overnight fasting?

Emerging Evidence

Motivational Interviewing (tDNA-MI) appears to improve total igf-1 levels measured after overnight fasting.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Total IGF-1 levels measured after overnight fasting

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
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