Abstract
Background : Diabetes mellitus has been associated with many
different musculoskeletal system problems. Objective : This
study aims to show the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in
patients with diabetes and to reveal their relationship to the metabolic
parameters and microvascular complications.
Methods: Seven hundred two diabetic patients who consecutively
applied to our clinic between March 2017 and February 2018 were included
in this prospective cross-sectional study. The relationship of the
musculoskeletal disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s
contracture, adhesive capsulitis, flexor tenosynovitis, limited joint
mobility syndrome, Charcot arthropathy, diabetic foot and gout to the
patients’ age, gender, type of diabetes, duration of diabetes, metabolic
parameters, and microvascular complications were evaluated.
Results : Musculoskeletal system disorders were detected in
45.9% (n = 322) of the 702 diabetic patients evaluated in our study.
The most common disorders were carpal tunnel syndrome 17.7% (n = 124),
Dupuytren’s contracture 14.4% (n = 101), and adhesive capsulitis 13.8%
(n = 97). A statistically significant relationship of the HbA1c level
with Dupuytren’s contracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, and adhesive
capsulitis was detected (p <0.05).
Conclusions : Patients’ age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c level,
and presence of microvascular complications are associated with
musculoskeletal disorders in this population.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Carpal
tunnel syndrome; Dupuytren’s contracture; Adhesive capsulitis