Background Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in India is 7·3%. India ranks second only to China in the number of adults with diabetes. Significant morbidity and mortality due to macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes, like myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure and visual impairment are widely known. However, involvement of the musculoskeletal system is usually unrecognized. Rarely life-threatening, musculoskeletal complications of diabetes can also cause significant morbidity and disability. Objective The present study aimed to find the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in individuals with DM. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. Individuals with type II diabetes, above the age of 18 years, coming to our hospital, were included. Individuals with type I DM, gestational DM, those with connective tissue disorder were excluded. Individuals with DM, referred by a physician, were examined in detail for musculoskeletal problems by a physiotherapist, region-wise. Their upper, lower limb and back ranges, end feel, tightness, muscle strength were taken. Results Total 338 individuals (180 males, 158 females) with type II diabetes were included. Their mean age was 56 years, mean duration of diabetes was 6.85 years and mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.8%. Prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was 35.5%. Osteoarthritis (OA) knee (14.79%) was the most prevalent, followed by adhesive capsulitis (9.47%), low back pain (5.03%), carpal tunnel syndrome (4.14%), limited joint mobility (2.96%), trigger finger (2.07%) and dupuytren’s contracture (0.29%). Statistically significant association was seen between musculoskeletal problems and age (p = 0.024), duration of diabetes (p < 0.001) and HbA1c (p = 0.03). Individuals having DM for more than 10 years had a 2.62 times higher odds of musculoskeletal problems than those with less than 10 years. Individuals with HbA1c ≥ 6.5% had a 3.4 times higher odds of musculoskeletal problems than those with HbA1c < 5.7%. Conclusion Musculoskeletal problems were prevalent in individuals with DM. OA knee was the most prevalent and Dupuytren’s contracture was the least prevalent. Musculoskeletal problems were significantly associated with age, duration of diabetes and HbA1c values.

Musculoskeletal complications in individuals with Type II diabetes: An observational study

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年3月25日

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Neha Mukkamala,
Jitendra Lakhani

摘要

Background

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in India is 7·3%. India ranks second only to China in the number of adults with diabetes. Significant morbidity and mortality due to macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes, like myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure and visual impairment are widely known. However, involvement of the musculoskeletal system is usually unrecognized. Rarely life-threatening, musculoskeletal complications of diabetes can also cause significant morbidity and disability.

Objective

The present study aimed to find the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in individuals with DM.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study, approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. Individuals with type II diabetes, above the age of 18 years, coming to our hospital, were included. Individuals with type I DM, gestational DM, those with connective tissue disorder were excluded. Individuals with DM, referred by a physician, were examined in detail for musculoskeletal problems by a physiotherapist, region-wise. Their upper, lower limb and back ranges, end feel, tightness, muscle strength were taken.

Results

Total 338 individuals (180 males, 158 females) with type II diabetes were included. Their mean age was 56 years, mean duration of diabetes was 6.85 years and mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.8%.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was 35.5%. Osteoarthritis (OA) knee (14.79%) was the most prevalent, followed by adhesive capsulitis (9.47%), low back pain (5.03%), carpal tunnel syndrome (4.14%), limited joint mobility (2.96%), trigger finger (2.07%) and dupuytren’s contracture (0.29%). Statistically significant association was seen between musculoskeletal problems and age (p = 0.024), duration of diabetes (p < 0.001) and HbA1c (p = 0.03). Individuals having DM for more than 10 years had a 2.62 times higher odds of musculoskeletal problems than those with less than 10 years. Individuals with HbA1c ≥ 6.5% had a 3.4 times higher odds of musculoskeletal problems than those with HbA1c < 5.7%.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal problems were prevalent in individuals with DM. OA knee was the most prevalent and Dupuytren’s contracture was the least prevalent. Musculoskeletal problems were significantly associated with age, duration of diabetes and HbA1c values.