Sex-specific associations between carotid plaque and bone mineral density in patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Among patients with T2DM, carotid plaque was independently associated with worse osteoporosis category in women but not in men. These findings indicate sex-specific associations between carotid atherosclerosis and skeletal health; however, given the cross-sectional design and unavailable key confounders (e.g., lifestyle factors, central adiposity measures, medication patterns, and fracture outcomes), the results should be interpreted as associative and require confirmation in prospective studies.