Clinical Examination and Self-Reported Upper Extremity Impairments in Patients with Long-Standing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Quantification of joint mobility limitation in adult type 1 diabetes

Aims

Diabetic cheiroarthropathies limit hand mobility due to fibrosis and could be markers of a global profibrotic trajectory. Heterogeneity in definitions and lack of a method to measure it complicate studying associations with organ involvement and treatment outcomes. We measured metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint extension as a metric and describe magnetic resonance (MR) imaging determinants of MCP restriction.

Methods

Adults with type 1 diabetes were screened for hand manifestations using a symptom questionnaire, clinical examination, and function [Duruoz hand index (DHI) and grip strength]. Patients were segregated by mean MCP extension (<20°, 20°-40°, 40°-60°, and >60°) for MR imaging (MRI) scanning. Patients in the four groups were compared using ANOVA for clinical features and MRI tissue measurements (tenosynovial, skin, and fascia thickness). We performed multiple linear regression for determinants of MCP extension.

Results

Of the 237 patients (90 men), 79 (33.8%) with cheiroarthropathy had MCP extension limitation (39° versus 61°, p < 0.01). Groups with limited MCP extension had higher DHI (1.9 vs. 0.2) but few (7%) had pain. Height, systolic blood pressure, and nephropathy were associated with mean MCP extension. Hand MRI (n = 61) showed flexor tenosynovitis in four patients and median neuritis in one patient. Groups with MCP mobility restriction had the thickest palmar skin; tendon thickness or median nerve area did not differ. Only mean palmar skin thickness was associated with MCP extension angle on multiple linear regression.

Conclusion

Joint mobility limitation was quantified by restricted mean MCP extension and had structural correlates on MRI. These can serve as quantitative measures for future associative and interventional studies.

Upper-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Associated Factors Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Globally, diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health, causing functional disability among those affected. Among the common diabetes mellitus-related complications, musculoskeletal disorders had a significant negative impact on the social health quality of life and productivity of individuals. Evidence in this regard, however, is scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and identifying factors associated in people with diabetes in Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was employed at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June 01 to August 30, 2020, among 413 participants. A systematic random sampling was employed to select the study participants. A structured, pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics. Musculoskeletal disorders were assessed through clinical and physical examination. A logistic regression model was used to explore factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders.

RESULT

The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among diabetes mellitus patients was 24% (95% CI 20, 28.3). In logistic regression, factors such as being female, older age, occupation (farmer, merchant, and retired), and long duration of diabetes were significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders.

CONCLUSION

Nearly one quarter of the study participants had musculoskeletal disorders. Special attention should be given for those individuals living with diabetes mellitus, particularly for those who are female, are older, and had a prolonged history of diabetes mellitus.

Shoulder pain and functional disability in type 1 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional survey

Objective

To assess the prevalence of shoulder pain and functional disability (SPFD) in Type-1 diabetic patients, and to explore its association with duration of the disease, age and gender.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out on previously diagnosed patients with Type-1 diabetes mellitus between April 2019 and March 2020. Data was collected from six hospitals including three tertiary care hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Three hundred and twenty-eight patients were recruited through convenience sampling. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index was used to determine SPFD among participants. Point-biserial and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to find out the correlation between the variables. Independent t-test was used to determine the difference in the mean scores between the variables.

Results

The prevalence of SPFD was found 85.7%. A significant correlation was found of the SPFD with age (r = 0.332, p < 0.001), duration of the diabetes mellitus (r = 0.154, p = 0.005) and gender (r_pb = 0.171, p = 0.002). A significant difference was found in SPFD mean scores between female and male patients (female patients = 43.42±22.80, male patients = 35.31±22.91, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

SPFD seems prevalent among Type-1 diabetic patients. Increasing age, long history of diabetes mellitus and female gender appear the associated risk factors for the shoulder pain and disability.