First word association: diabetes. What comes to your mind first? Oddly, I immediately think adhesive capsulitis.

I know, I know – it’s sad that I immediately think adhesive capsulitis. A person has diabetes and a person is always part of the equation – yet sadly, adhesive capsulitis is the first thought that comes to my head.

As I read the abstract, I believe that if I were to think of they most prominent conditions that someone with diabetes may concurrently experience, adhesive capsulitis really shouldn’t be my first thought.

41% had one or more vascular complications. As I think about that, I should have had that my first thought. What is something that is a huge focus in preventing? Amputations… and why do amputations happen? Deficits in the vascular system and sensory system. This abstract hammers home the importance to remember to assess both the vascular system and the sensory system.

You’ll find the abstract to the recent study below.

Musculoskeletal Disorders in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Majjad A¹, Errahali Y², Toufik H¹, H Djossou J¹, Ghassem MA¹, Kasouati J³, Maghraoui AE¹.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

A variety of musculoskeletal disorders (MS) have been associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated factors of MS disorders in Moroccan diabetic patients.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive patients with DM. We recorded demographic features of patients and characteristics of DM. MS disorders and vascular complications were assessed by clinical examinations and investigations. Associated factors of MS disorders were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULT:

376 subjects were included; 84.6% had type 2 DM. The participants’ median age was 54 years [45-62]; 41% had one or more vascular complications. 34.4% had one or more MS disorders. Osteoarthritis was present in 19.4% of patients. Hand disorders were seen in 14.4%. Shoulder capsulitis was present in 12.5%. Long duration of diabetes and dyslipidemia were associated with increased prevalence of hand abnormalities (P = 0.017; P = 0.019, respectively). Age and dyslipidemia were associated with shoulder capsulitis (P = 0.019; P = 0.047, respectively). Female gender, overweight, and nephropathy were associated with increased odds of osteoarthritis (P = 0.009, P = 0.004, and P = 0.032, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

MS disorders are frequent in this population and associated with various factors. HbA1c level does not appear to be associated with development of MS disorders.

Int J Rheumatol. 2018 Jun 19;2018:3839872. doi: 10.1155/2018/3839872. eCollection 2018.