Contractures in diabetes mellitus: the syndrome of limited joint mobility

Does hand stiffness reflect internal organ fibrosis in diabetes mellitus?

Fibrosis leads to irreversible stiffening of tissue and loss of function, and is a common pathway leading to morbidity and mortality in chronic disease. Diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) are associated with significant fibrosis in internal organs, chiefly the kidney and heart, but also lung, liver and adipose tissue. Diabetes is also associated with the diabetic cheirarthropathies, a collection of clinical manifestations affecting the hand that include limited joint mobility (LJM), flexor tenosynovitis, Duypuytren disease and carpal tunnel syndrome. Histo-morphologically these are profibrotic conditions affecting various soft tissue components in the hand. We hypothesize that these hand manifestations reflect a systemic profibrotic state, and are potential clinical biomarkers of current or future internal organ fibrosis. Epidemiologically, there is evidence that fibrosis in one organ associates with fibrosis with another; the putative exposures that lead to fibrosis in diabetes (advanced glycation end product deposition, microvascular disease and hypoxia, persistent innate inflammation) are 'systemic'; a common genetic susceptibility to fibrosis has also been hinted at. These data suggest that a subset of the diabetic population is susceptible to multi-organ fibrosis. The hand is an attractive biomarker to clinically detect this susceptibility, owing to its accessibility to physical examination and exposure to repeated mechanical stresses. Testing the hypothesis has a few pre-requisites: being able to measure hand fibrosis in the hand, using clinical scores or imaging based scores, which will facilitate looking for associations with internal organ fibrosis using validated methodologies for each. Longitudinal studies would be essential in delineating fibrosis trajectories in those with hand manifestations. Since therapies reversing fibrosis are few, the onus lies on identification of a susceptible subset for preventative measures. If systematically validated, clinical hand examination could provide a low-cost, universally accessible and easily reproducible screening step in selecting patients for clinical trials for fibrosis in diabetes.

The combined role of diabetes and obesity in susceptibility to musculoskeletal disorders and its subtypes in older men and women in India

Background and aims

In later life, diabetes and obesity can cause a change in musculoskeletal systems that can lead to aching joints and a myriad of other musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatism, bone fractures etc., resulting in significant morbidity including pain and disability. There is a paucity of research to know how comorbidity of diabetes and obesity increase musculoskeletal disorders among older people. Therefore, the present study used nationally representative data to examine the interaction of diabetes and obesity on musculoskeletal disorders and its subtypes including arthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatism among older men and women in India.

Methods

Data were extracted from the first wave of the nationally representative survey Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted in 2017-18. The final sample includes 31,464 people aged 60 years or above. Primary outcome variable was any listed musculoskeletal disorders and secondary outcomes were its subtypes including arthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatism based on self-reported questions. Diabetes and obesity based on anthropometric index of weight and height (i.e., body mass index (BMI) with a standard cut-off of 30 kg/m2 or over) were considered as explanatory variables of interest. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between diabetes and musculoskeletal disorders. Interaction analysis was performed by both additive and multiplicative scales.

Results

Comparing older people without diabetes, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its subtypes were higher among those with diabetes, particularly arthritis disorders in older women. Diabetes was significantly correlated with the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and its subtypes including arthritis and osteoporosis even after controlling potential factors. The combination of diabetes and obesity was significantly and positively associated with musculoskeletal disorders (aOR: 4.14; p-value < 0.0001; 95% CI: 1.96 to 8.74) and its subtype only arthritis (aOR: 4.36; p-value < 0.0001; 95% CI: 1.76 to 10.8) comparing to those without both the conditions. However, the association was strong for older women as compared to older men. Notwithstanding, multiplicative scale interaction showed statistically significant for musculoskeletal disorders and its three subtypes among older women, however it was not significant for osteoporosis and rheumatism disorders among older men. When we analyzed interaction on additive scale, we found it only for arthritis disorder among older women suggesting the risk from obesity (relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI): -0.83, 95% CI: -1.44 to -0.22, attributable proportion due to interaction (AP): -0.54, 95% CI: -1.05 to -0.03, synergy index (S): 0.39, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.93) was additive to the risk from diabetes.

Conclusions

This study suggests an elevated risk of musculoskeletal disorders among Indian older adults with diabetes. The result of this study also suggests an interactive association of diabetes and obesity with musculoskeletal disorders, particularly with arthritis disorder. There is a need to pay attention to the BMI level while treating diabetes in Indian older population.

The Association of Diabetic Cheiroarthropathy With Microvascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Diabetic cheiroarthropathy (DCA), also known as the syndrome of limited joint mobility (LJM), is among the most underdiagnosed complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Although not severe, it can hamper the day-to-day activities of the patient and significantly reduce the quality of life. It is hypothesized to be due to increased glycation of collagen around joints. The objective of our study was to examine the association of diabetic cheiroarthropathy with microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods The study was conducted on 251 previously diagnosed cases of type 2 DM. Patients with previous contractures due to any other cause, who are diagnosed cases of rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma, and other risk factors such as cardiac or renal disease were excluded from the study. All subjects were subjected to a detailed clinical history including a past history, thorough physical examination, prayer test, tabletop sign, and passive extension of fingers. Patients who are diagnosed with diabetic cheiroarthropathy were then screened for microalbuminuria, fundus examination, and monofilament test and clinical examination to look for the presence of microvascular complications. Results Out of the 251 patients, 46 (18.3%) were found to have diabetic cheiroarthropathy. Fifteen (34.9%) cheiroarthropathy patients had neuropathy compared to 14.9% without diabetic cheiroarthropathy, which was statistically significant. We found that there was an increased incidence of diabetic neuropathy in subjects with cheiroarthropathy. Thirty (35.7%) patients with diabetic cheiroarthropathy had diabetic retinopathy compared to 9.6% without diabetic cheiroarthropathy. Twenty-six (26.8%) patients with diabetic cheiroarthropathy had diabetic nephropathy compared to 13% without diabetic cheiroarthropathy. We identified from our study that patients with diabetic cheiroarthropathy had an increased risk of developing microvascular complications. Conclusion There is an increased prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic cheiroarthropathy. The presence of diabetic cheiroarthropathy hence warrants better control of the patient's glycemic status to prevent further deterioration of diabetes-related complications.

Musculoskeletal complications in patients with diabetes mellitus

Musculoskeletal conditions are common in patients with diabetes. Several musculoskeletal disorders are viewed as chronic complications of diabetes because epidemiological studies have revealed high correlations between such complications and diabetes, but the pathophysiological links with diabetes remains unclear. Genetic predispositions, shared risk factors, microvascular impairments, progressive accumulation of advanced glycation end-products, and diabetic neuropathy may underlie the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal complications of diabetics have received less attention than life-threatening microvascular or macrovascular complications. Here, we review several diabetic musculoskeletal complications with a focus on the clinical importance of early recognition and management, which would improve quality of life and physical function.

LIMITED JOINT MOBILITY IN A CHILD WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

Chronic uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1DM) is a very major risk for chronic systemic complications; specifically, the microvascular and macrovascular ones. Limited joint mobility (LJM) is a rare disease that complicates all types of diabetes and might indicate the high-risk odd for the diabetic patients to develop microvascular complications. We are reporting a 13-year-old female child with chronic uncontrolled type 1DM presenting with full blown clinical picture of bilateral hand LJM associated with significant growth failure yet has no clinical or biochemical evidence of microvascular complications. Literature research studies have emphasized the rarity of this manifestation in pediatric type 1 diabetic patients; however, it is an important clue and warning sign for microvascular complication occurrence in these patients.

Sclerodactyly and Diabetic Complications among Egyptian Adolescent Type 1 Diabetic Patient

BACKGROUND

One of the common complications of diabetic patients is sclerodactyly which is considered as a part of limited joint mobility.

AIM

To assess sclerodactyly in adolescent type 1 diabetics and to detect its relation to other diabetic complications.

METHODS

Sixty-three diabetics and 60 controls were studied. Clinical, laboratory assessment, ultrasonography of the skin, carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) & renal colour duplex were done for all participants.

RESULTS

Sclerodactyly was positive in 12 (19%) of diabetics. Patients with sclerodactyly had a significantly thickened skin compared to patients without sclerodactyly and controls, P = 0.0001. Male diabetics had significantly thickened skin (p = 0.0001). Diabetic patients with sclerodactyly had significant higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), cholesterol (p = 0.05) and triglyceride (p = 0.004) and lower HDL-c (p = 0.04). Skin thickness had a significant positive correlation with age of diabetic patients (p = 0.02), waist/height ratio (p = 0.04), glycosylated hemoglobin (p = 0.03), albumin/creatinine ratio (p = 0.03), and cIMT (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound easily diagnoses sclerodactyly. Diabetic patients had a high prevalence of sclerodactyly with increased macrovascular and microvascular complications. Sclerodactyly may be a marker for diabetic vascular complications. Frequent follow up of diabetic patients for early detection of sclerodactyly in uncontrolled diabetic patients is recommended. It could be an alarming sign for microalbuminuria, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis.

Cheiroarthropathy and tendinopathy in diabetes

Joint problems commonly occur in people with diabetes. Cheiroarthropathy affects the hands and results in painless limited finger joint extension, appearing to be associated with longer diabetes duration and the presence of microvascular complications. The prevalence of cheiroarthropathy seems to be falling, perhaps as a result of improvements in glycaemic management. Non-enzymatic glycation of collagen results in abnormally crosslinked protein resistant to degradation with subsequent increased build-up of collagen in joints. The management of cheiroarthropathy is predominantly conservative, with occupational and hand therapy at the forefront. Tendinopathy is more common in people with diabetes than those without, and is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. As with cheiroarthropathy, the exact causative mechanism of tendinopathy in diabetes is not known, but may be linked to inflammation, apoptosis and increased vascularity of affected tendons, driven by hyperinsulinaemia. Local fat pads have also been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy.

Prevalence of hand disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its correlation with microvascular complications

Background:

Physicians have long recognized the association between diabetes mellitus and several pathologic conditions of the hand. The most commonly recognized maladies are limited joint mobility (LJM), Dupuytren's disease (DD), trigger finger (TF), and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Incidence of these hand disorders has increased in the setting of diabetes. Collectively, these are described as diabetic hand syndrome.

Aim:

The aims were to find out the prevalence of hand disorders in diabetic patients, and to study the relation of these hand disorders with microvascular complications.

Subjects and Methods:

This is an observational cross-sectional case-control study done over a period of 1 year Patients of type 2 DM, of age < 65 years, who visited Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Lucknow were enrolled and were described as cases. Age- and sex-matched nondiabetic individuals were taken in the control group. The data were analyzed using software SPSS. SPSS Inc. Released 2008. SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 17.0. Chicago: SPSS Inc. Means and standard deviations were computed; the Student t-test and Chi-square (χ²) test were used as appropriate.

Results:

A total of 400 subjects were studied, 200 each in the case and control groups. Of total 200 diabetic patients, 30% (60/200) patients had neuropathy, 37.5% (75/200) had nephropathy, and 44.5% (89/200) patients had retinopathy. In the study population, 67% patients were having one or more hand disorders, in which LJM was found in 40.5% (81/200) patients, DD was found in 19% (38/200) patients, TF in 16.5% (33/200), and CTS in 14% (28/200) patients.

Conclusions:

This study shows a high prevalence of hand disorders in diabetic patients and also correlates with the duration of type 2 DM, LJM being the most common hand disorder and more common in patients who have microvascular complications.

Rheumatic manifestations of endocrine disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Musculoskeletal complaints are a feature of several endocrine diseases. This review will update clinicians on their association, presentation, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

To update clinicians on the recent literature as it is related to pathophysiology, genetic, and clinical findings on the association of these diseases and musculoskeletal complaints.

SUMMARY

Rheumatologists in the clinic are faced with different presentations of various musculoskeletal complaints every day. Every new patient encounter requires the differential diagnosis of these complaints. The first task is usually to decide with what disease in internal medicine these complaints are associated. The endocrinopathies are a group of illnesses that either present initially or exhibit sometime during the course of the disease as a variety of musculoskeletal complaints. Rheumatic manifestations may often be the initial presentation of an endocrine disorder. Each endocrine disorder may also have its own arthritic complaints, which can present as a definitive rheumatic disease such as calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease or as a rheumatic symptom such as diffuse arthralgia. The rheumatologist as well as the primary care physician should be knowledgeable about the ways in which muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints are affected by diseases of the endocrine system.

Impact of obesity and diabetes on arthritis: An update

The incidence of obesity and diabetes has been increased with alarming rate in recent years and became a common problem around the globe including developing as well as in developed countries with incalculable social costs. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are two common co-morbidities occur together. Obesity and diabetes is closely associated with many diseases, osteoarthritis, hypertension, certain form of cancer, sleep-breathing disorders and coronary heart disease. Impacts of obesity and diabetes (insulin resistance) on arthritis have been seen in patients that we associated with combination of various factors like increased availability of high- energy foods, genetic susceptibility and decreased physical activity in modern society. Arthritis is becoming pandemic around the globe and its occurrence with obesity and diabetes has been observed more common than ever. Combination of these two chronic conditions makes these diseases more vulnerable for human health. Till now very limited information is established about the pathological and mechanistic correlation among these health ailments. In this review article we aimed to survey the literature covering the influence of obesity and diabetes on arthritis pathology and tried to establish correlation with these diseases.

Deteriorating tactile sensation in patients with hand syndromes associated with diabetes: a two-year observational study

AIMS

To observe the natural history of hand function during a two-year period in participants with hand syndromes associated with diabetes and to determine factors related to changing function.

METHODS

Hand function was measured over three annual visits using Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and SF-36v2 questionnaires, grip strength, light touch and 9-hole peg tests. Light touch was tested with WEST monofilaments at 7 sites on the hand (score 35 to 0). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, Spearman's correlation, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

RESULTS

Participants (n=60) were aged 61 ± 10.5 years, 57% female, diagnosed with diabetes and at least one of four associated hand disorders. Presentations of carpal tunnel syndrome, or past release (n=27, 45%) and trigger finger (n=24, 40%) were common. Tactile sensation was reduced during the two-year period (median, range; 30 months, 25-40 months). Initial median (inter-quartile range) scores for the dominant hand of 25.5 (22-28.5) were reduced to 23 (21.5-27). This sensory loss was weakly associated with HbA1c (r=0.30, p=0.05) and occurred predominantly in participants with trigger finger (p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Light touch perception was reduced in longstanding diabetic hand syndromes. Tactile abnormalities that were detected by clinical examination progressed during a two year period and were related to metabolic control and musculoskeletal diagnosis.

Self-reports of hand function in persons with diabetes

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of three self-reports of hand function for persons with diabetes. Thirty-six people with type II diabetes completed self-report questionnaires of hand function including the Hand Function Disability Scale (HFDS), Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), and Dreiser's Functional Hand Index (DFI) at two points in time to assess test-retest reliability. To determine validity, participants were also administered performance-based tests of hand strength, dexterity, and joint motion using the Keital Function Test, and Hand Mobility in Scleroderma Test. Test-retest reliability intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.89 to 0.96 for the HFDS; 0.58 to 0.94 for the MHQ; and 0.90 for the DFI. Spearman Rho correlations showed fair correlations between the HFDS and applied hand strength. Fair correlations were also found between the scores on the MHQ and hand strength and joint motion, while scores on the DFI did not correlate with hand strength, dexterity, or joint motion. Overall, the HFDS and the MHQ appear to be reliable and valid measures of hand function in persons with diabetes and may help occupational therapists determine the level of difficulty with daily tasks and monitor outcomes of therapy in persons with diabetes.

Rheumatic manifestations of endocrine diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Musculoskeletal complaints accompanying or as a result of endocrine disorders are common and have been well described. This review re-examines these associations in light of newer information on biology and genetics.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this article, we describe the recent studies on pathophysiology of the muscular skeletal complaints in endocrine disease. In addition we report on population as well as genetic studies, which address the relationship between endocrine and rheumatologic disease, both of which are autoimmune.

SUMMARY

Very often, the presentation of rheumatic manifestations is the initial presentation of endocrine disease. Being aware of the presentation as well as the unique physiology of these complaints will help alert the clinician to an early diagnosis of endocrine disease. In addition understanding whether certain endocrine disease occurs more often in rheumatologic illness will enable the clinician to investigate their occurrence early, leading to earlier intervention and resulting in decreased morbidity from these concomitant illnesses.

Hand syndromes associated with diabetes: impairments and obesity predict disability

OBJECTIVE

We determined patterns of disability in diabetic hand conditions and identified factors that contributed to functional limitations.

METHODS

Hand assessments were performed on 60 adults with DM1 or DM2 and carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren's disease, or the syndrome of limited joint mobility. The examination included measurement of grip strength, light touch perception, and dexterity, as well as self-reported function using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) instrument and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire. Associations with hand disability were analyzed using correlation and regression.

RESULTS

The most frequent presentation was carpal tunnel syndrome (45%) but it was common for patients to present with clinical features associated with more than one hand syndrome (47%). Overall, women had greater difficulties, with significantly higher DASH scores than men [mean 30.3 (95% CI 23.2, 37.5) vs 18.0 (95% CI 12.1, 23.9), respectively; p = 0.01]. Grip strength, dexterity, and obesity were associated with hand disability (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In adults with hand syndromes associated with diabetes, disability was related to impaired muscle function and carpal tunnel syndrome. Obesity and overall physical functioning influenced hand disability, particularly in women.

Upper limb musculoskeletal abnormalities and poor metabolic control in diabetes

INTRODUCTION

An increased prevalence of musculoskeletal disease is recognised in diabetes and is a common source of disability. It is known to predominantly affect the upper limbs especially the hand and shoulder. The relationship with other complications of diabetes and glycaemic control is uncertain. We designed this study to clarify these relationships, and to assess differences between types 1 and 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We identified a group of 96 people with established diabetes and examined them for the presence of locomotor disease focussing on the upper limbs. We recorded the mean HbA1c and the presence of diabetic complications, together with the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score. We explored correlations between locomotor disease and these variables using logistic regression. We compared data between type 1 and type 2 diabetics and contrasted the amalgamated data with that of a matched control population of medical out patients using Students t tests.

RESULTS

Locomotor disease was present in 75% of diabetics with the upper limb the commonest site for abnormalities. This prevalence was significantly higher than that seen in the controls (53%) [p=0.02]. Shoulder capsulitis (25%), carpal tunnel syndrome (20%), tenosynovitis (29%), limited joint mobility (28%) and Dupuytrens contracture (13%) were the most frequent findings and were much commoner than in controls. Capsulitis usually coexisted with other upper limb abnormalities and best predicted the presence of retinopathy and/or neuropathy. The mean HbA1c was significantly higher in patients with combined shoulder and hand problems (9.1%) than in those with no upper limb problems (8.0%) [p=0.018]. The pattern of results was similar in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, although the prevalence of abnormalities and mean HAQ were significantly greater in type 2 patients, which may be in part a function of their greater mean age.

CONCLUSION

Upper limb locomotor abnormalities are very common in diabetes and are associated with worse glycaemic control and more diabetic complications. Assessment of upper limb locomotor disease in diabetes should include an estimate of glycaemic control and a search for other complications.

The Presence of Limited Joint Mobility Is Significantly Associated with Multiple Digit Involvement by Stenosing Flexor Tenosynovitis in Diabetics

Objective.

Diabetes is associated with several disorders of the hand, including stenosing flexor tenosynovitis (SFTS). The feature of SFTS in diabetics is a higher prevalence of multiple digit involvement. We examined the magnitude of the tendency for involvement of more digits by SFTS in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients, and attempted to clarify the factors influencing multiple digit involvement by SFTS in diabetics.

Methods.

The study comprised 302 diabetic patients with SFTS and 235 nondiabetic patients with SFTS. The total number of digits exhibiting SFTS within the 1-year period following the initial visit to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery was investigated in a prospective manner. We compared the difference in the frequency of multiple digit involvement by SFTS between diabetic and nondiabetic patients using the chi-squared test. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the contribution of independent variables [defined as 12 factors including age, sex, type of diabetes, estimated duration of diabetes, HbA1c values, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren contracture, limited joint mobility (LJM), de Quervain's disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and dyslipidemia] to the total number of digits affected by SFTS in diabetic patients.

Results.

Diabetic patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of multiple digit involvement than nondiabetic patients (p < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis in diabetic patients revealed that the presence of LJM was positively associated with the prevalence of multiple digit involvement (r = 0.626, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion.

LJM in diabetics is closely associated with SFTS involving multiple digits.

Diabetes mellitus

Dermatologic problems are common in diabetes, with approximately 30% of patients experiencing some cutaneous involvement during the course of their illness. Skin manifestations generally appear during the course of the disease in patients known to have diabetes, but they may also be the first presenting sign of diabetes or even precede the diagnosis by many years. The skin involvement can be autoimmune in nature, such as acanthosis nigricans, necrobiosis lipoidica, diabetic dermopathy, scleredema, and granuloma annulare, or infectious in the form of erythrasma, necrotizing fasciitis, and mucormycosis. Pharmacologic management of diabetes, in addition, can also result in skin changes, such as lipoatrophy and lipohypertrophy, at the site of injection of insulin, and oral antidiabetic agents can cause multiple skin reactions as adverse effects. The management of these cutaneous manifestations is tailored according to the underlying pathophysiology, but a tight control of blood glucose is a prerequisite in all management strategies.

Musculoskeletal disorders in diabetes mellitus: an update

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with several musculoskeletal disorders. The incidence of DM and the life expectancy of the diabetic patient have both increased, resulting in the increased prevalence and clinical importance of musculoskeletal alterations in diabetic subjects. The exact pathophysiology of most of these musculoskeletal disorders remains obscure. Connective tissue disorders, neuropathy, vasculopathy or combinations of these problems, may underlie the increased incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in DM. The development of musculoskeletal disorders is dependent on age and on the duration of DM; however, it has been difficult to show a direct correlation with the metabolic control of DM. Most of these disorders can be diagnosed clinically, but some radiological examination may help, especially in differential diagnosis. No specific treatment is available, and treatments used in the general population are also recommended for diabetic subjects. Infectious complications affecting the musculoskeletal system are common in DM subjects, and these, possibly life-threatening, complications should be systematically discussed.

Rheumatologic manifestations of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus has been linked to disorders of bones and joints, including neuroarthropathy, limited joint mobility, and hyperostosis. Some of the relations have known pathogenic mechanisms, but most are based on epidemiologic findings. This article reviews the associations between diabetes mellitus and its putative rheumatologic manifestations, and proposes a classification composed of four categories: consequences of diabetic complications, consequences of metabolic derangements inherent to diabetes, syndromes that may share etiologic mechanisms with microvascular disease, and probable associations. This approach may facilitate a clearer understanding of the musculoskeletal conditions that are prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus.

An etiologic model proposing that non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is chronic hypoxic stress hyperglycemia

This etiologic model equates non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) to chronic hypoxic stress hyperglycemia produced by increased stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In the initial stages of the disease, hypoxia is believed to result from hemodilutional anemia precipitated by a reduction in vascular smooth muscle tone. The reduction increases lumen diameter necessitating an increased blood volume to maintain pressure. Increased lumen diameter may also trigger atherosclerotic changes that characterize the later stages of NIDDM. The increased diameter decreases the shear stress experienced by endothelial cells and they respond by releasing endothelin, a smooth muscle constrictor and mitogen. The constricting action is hypothesized to be relatively ineffective in NIDDM leading to long-term endothelin release and activation of its mitogenic properties. The resulting increase in the number of smooth muscle cells may explain the intimal thickening of atherosclerosis. Restoration of vascular muscle tone is proposed as a treatment strategy for mild NIDDM.

The effect of ankle equinus upon the diabetic foot

The association between ankle equinus and common foot pathologies such as Achilles tendinitis, metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, hallux abductovalgus, and plantar fasciitis has been described. However, the association between ankle equinus and diabetic foot pathology has only been recognized recently. Over half of the non-traumatic amputations occurring in the United States are related to complications of diabetes. It is imperative that risk factors for lower extremity ulceration and amputation are identified and addressed. This article reviews the effect of ankle equinus deformity on the diabetic foot and the available treatment options. New data on the prevalence of equinus in a population of patients with diabetes are also presented.

"Diabetic mastopathy," or sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis, is strongly associated with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the strong association of diabetic mastopathy or sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis with type 1 diabetes mellitus by studying appropriate control groups and to describe risk factors and natural history of the disorder.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of four groups of patients conducted at a setting tertiary care medical center. We examined benign breast biopsies (investigator masked to identity) from age-matched patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, or none of the above disorders for sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis. Several risk factors proposed for the disorder (age at diagnosis of benign breast disease, duration of diabetes, age at onset of diabetes, prevalence of retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and cheiroarthropathy, glycemic control, parity, oral contraceptive use, menopausal status, or number of breast biopsies) were evaluated, and patients were contacted to describe the natural history of the disorder.

RESULTS

Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis was identified in 69.7% of the subjects with type 1 diabetes and 1.8% of those with autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed with benign breast disease at surgery. It did not occur in patients with type 2 diabetes with or without insulin treatment or in control subjects. Only retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy were associated with sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis. Breast carcinoma or lymphoma did not occur subsequently in any type 1 diabetes patient with or without sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis is strongly associated with type 1 diabetes. Retinopathy and neuropathy are associated with the disorder. The risk of malignancy is not increased.

Walking velocity in aged persons: its association with lower extremity joint range of motion

OBJECTIVE

To measure the association between walking velocity and hip and knee flexion range, ethnic background, anthropometrics, comorbid pathologies, and coimpairments, in a sample of community-dwelling aged persons.

METHODS

To reach our objective, we used data from the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging (SALSA), a population-based cohort of Mexican American and European American persons aged 64 to 79. By fitting hierarchical regression models, we measured the variance in the walking velocity over 50 feet explained by hip and knee flexion range, adjusting for the combined influence of demographic and anthropometric variables, coexistent pathologic conditions, impairments, and the examiners who conducted the assessments.

RESULTS

The average walking velocity among the 702 subjects for whom data were available was 73.6 meters per minute (range 20 to 121). Bivariate analyses revealed significant associations between walking velocity and age, sex, ethnic background, height, weight, presence of arthritis, diabetes mellitus, stroke, upper leg pain, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and forced expiratory volume at 1 second. The correlation (r) between walking velocity and flexion range of the hip and knee were 0.40 and 0.35, respectively (P < or = 0.001 for each). Multivariate hierarchical models adjusting for demographic and anthropometric characteristics of the subjects, and examiner variation, revealed that hip and knee flexion range explained 6% of the variance in walking velocity. Adjusting for the presence of comorbid conditions and coimpairments reduced the variance attributable to hip and knee flexion range only slightly, to 5%.

CONCLUSION

Hip and knee flexion range contribute significantly to walking velocity in the SALSA cohort of community-dwelling aged persons.

Determinants of hip and knee flexion range: results from the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed data from the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging, a neighborhood-based study of community-dwelling elderly people, to identify factors that determine the flexion range (FR) of hips and knees.

METHODS

The FR of hips and knees was measured in a cohort of 687 subjects aged 65 to 79 years. We used multivariate models to examine the associations among the FR of hips and knees, and between these and age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), pain and its location, self-reported arthritis, and diabetes mellitus. The functional relevance of hip and knee FR was tested by measuring its association with 50-foot walking velocity.

RESULTS

More than 90 degrees of flexion in both hips and both knees was observed in 619 subjects (90.1%). Correlations among the FR of hips and knees ranged from 0.54 to 0.80 (P < 0.001 for Spearman r values). Multivariate analysis revealed a pattern of significant associations between each of the joints and its contralateral mate and ipsilateral partner joints that was consistent for both hips and both knees. Using each individual joint as the unit of analysis, the following variables were independently associated with hip or knee FR in multivariate models: rising BMI and female sex with reduced FR of both hips and knees, a Mexican American ethnic background with decreased hip FR, and knee pain with decreased knee FR. The functional importance of the FR of these two important joints was supported by its significant association with walking velocity in a model that adjusted for age, gender, ethnic background, BMI, and hip or knee pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Most community-dwelling elderly people have a FR of hips and knees that can be considered functional. The ipsilateral and contralateral hip or knee are significant independent determinants of the FR of each of these joints. Obesity, a health problem potentially amenable to preventive and therapeutic interventions, is a factor significantly associated with decreased FR of hips and knees.

Limited joint mobility in diabetes

Cheiroarthropathy is a syndrome usually associated with diabetes mellitus that involves mainly the small joints of the hand. It is generally painless and seldom treated until hand deformity is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Because cheiroarthropathy is correlated with microvascular complications of diabetes, patients with hand symptoms should be carefully investigated for neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Improved control of diabetes is the cornerstone of management, but surgery and corticosteroid injection may alleviate severe symptoms in some patients.

Immunoassay of platelet-derived growth factor in the blood of patients with diabetes mellitus

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a powerful mitogen for many cell types, and is believed to play a major role in wound healing when released from platelets at sites of injury. In diabetes mellitus, it has been proposed that premature release of PDGF from platelets impairs the ability of platelets to initiate healing, and also accelerates the development of diabetic complications such as angiopathy by increasing plasma-borne PDGF. However, plasma samples from diabetic patients have not previously been assayed for PDGF using suitable techniques. A sensitive monoclonal enzyme-linked immunoassay for PDGF was applied to plasma and serum samples from 18 healthy control subjects and 60 diabetic patients. Neither plasma nor serum PDGF concentrations differed significantly between control subjects, insulin-dependent, and non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. However, 23% of the diabetic subjects had serum PDGF levels above the control range. Limited joint mobility, which is characterised by joint contractures and collagen deposition in the skin, and is associated with microvascular disease, was used as a marker of diabetic complications. Limited joint mobility affected 43% of the diabetic subjects. Patients with moderate limited joint mobility had had diabetes significantly longer than those without limited joint mobility (means 17 years and 9 years, respectively, p = 0.008). However, limited joint mobility was not associated with elevated serum or plasma PDGF in insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. We conclude that complications of diabetes are unlikely to be caused by changes in systemic levels of PDGF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Incidence of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetic subjects with limited joint mobility: a 10-year prospective study

Previous cross-sectional studies have shown a significant correlation between limited joint mobility (LJM) and the microvascular complications of Type 1 diabetes, but whether LJM precedes and, therefore, may be regarded as an early marker for complications is unknown. Twenty-two Type 1 diabetic patients (10 male/12 female; diabetes duration at follow-up 20.1 +/- 1.3 (SEM) years) with LJM, and 22 subjects matched for age, sex, and duration of diabetes, without LJM were observed over a 10-year period. Both groups were free of retinopathy and negative for 'dipstick' proteinuria at baseline. After 10 years, of 22 patients with LJM, 10 had developed background and 3 proliferative retinopathy compared with 9 and 1 control subjects, respectively. Microalbuminuria (20 < or = albumin excretion rate < 200 micrograms min-1) was present in 3 and macroalbuminuria (albumin excretion rate > or = 200 micrograms min-1) in 2 of LJM patients compared with 6 and 1 control subjects, respectively. Ankle and toe vibration perception thresholds, HbA1, mean HbA1 (a mean of serial HbA1 measurements obtained during the 10-year follow-up period), and arterial blood pressure did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). At 10-year review, 9 of the control subjects had developed LJM of whom 4 had retinopathy and 4 microalbuminuria. Thus, while LJM may be another 'chronic complication' of diabetes, its presence does not appear to predict those at increased risk of developing microvascular complications.

A quantitative assessment of limited joint mobility in patients with diabetes. Goniometric analysis of upper extremity passive range of motion

OBJECTIVE

The syndrome of limited joint mobility is a common but not widely recognized musculoskeletal complication of diabetes. The purpose of this study was to further characterize this syndrome using quantitative goniometric measures.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of a sample population was performed to establish the prevalence, location, and severity of limited joint mobility and to determine its relationship to extraarticular manifestations and complications of diabetes. Passive range of motion of both upper extremities was measured by goniometry in 70 adult patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 70 nondiabetic controls who were group-matched for age, sex, and general activity level. Joint mobility was assessed by both individual joint motions and a composite scoring technique.

RESULTS

Analysis of individual joints and composite scores revealed significant differences between dominant and nondominant extremities in both the control and the diabetic groups. Diabetic patients were generally less flexible than nondiabetic subjects throughout the arm, especially in shoulder and finger joints. In the full study population, multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age, male sex, and the presence of diabetes were associated with decreased passive range of motion for a majority of joints (P < 0.05). In the diabetes group, passive range of motion was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with age, sex, duration of diabetes, and to a variable extent, glucose control, but was not correlated with the presence of clinically significant neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, or peripheral vascular disease, with activity level, or with hand dominance. Stepwise regression analysis failed to identify single key joint motion(s) to serve as possible screening tests in predicting generalized limited joint mobility of the upper extremity. Finally, the effect of limb usage on range of motion in flexion may differ in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.

CONCLUSION

Limited joint mobility is a generalized phenomenon occurring throughout the upper extremities of many diabetic patients. It is significantly related to age, sex, and to a variable extent duration of diabetes and glucose control. It is not related to the standard complications of diabetes as defined in this study.

Limited joint mobility in insulin dependent childhood diabetes

Limited joint mobility (LJM), beginning typically in the fifth finger and moving radially, affecting interphalangeal, metacarpal-phalangeal, and large joints, is the earliest clinically apparent complication of diabetes in childhood and adolescence. It is painless and not disabling. Approximately 50% of post-adolescent patients with more than 5 years duration of diabetes are affected, with age being more important than duration of diabetes, as is the case with other complications. Growth failure is more frequent in the presence of LJM, although correlations with diabetic control have not been found. Variations in frequency in various reports, including high prevalence in controls or relatives, appear to be related to the quality of the examination; simple inspection with hands pressed flat on the table top or together in the prayer position is inadequate; passive extension must be performed. Although differential diagnosis from other conditions causing limitation of the fingers in diabetes would appear simple, LJM has been confused with other conditions which can be distinguished by the presence of pain or paresthesias, neurologic findings, disability, finger-locking, swelling, muscle atrophy, palmar skin or fascial thickening, absence of typical distribution, calcification of the vessels and, particularly, the age group affected. That the periarticular thickening found on examination and demonstrated on roentgenograms reflects generalized abnormalities is suggested by association with thick tight waxy skin, decreased pulmonary function, and association with retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, independently of duration of diabetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)