Analytical Observational Study of Frozen Shoulder among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose  This study aims to identify the prevalence of frozen shoulder (FS) among diabetic patients and its relation to demographic features. Methods  This observational study of 216 patients randomly included those with diabetes mellitus (DM) attending the Misan Rheumatology and Medical Rehabilitation Department at Al-Sadder Teaching Hospital in Misan Province of Iraq and was conducted during the period from April 2014 to March 2015. Detailed medical histories were taken from patients and scratch test and hemoglobin A _1C were used in diagnostic procedure to confirm diagnosis of FS and DM, respectively. Results  The occurrence rate of FS was 11.5% among patients, with a higher prevalence in females versus males. The most commonly afflicted age group was 60 to 70 years old at 33.3%. Dominant shoulder was more commonly affected than nondominant one. DM presented in large number of patients with FS with a prevalence of 90.3% of cases. The onset of FS in patients with DM was most common within the chronic phase of the disease at 32.3 and 33.8% for durations of 1 to 5 and 5 to 10 years, respectively. Conclusion  There is a strong association between DM and FS. Females were more commonly affected than males. Aging increased shoulder disorder distribution with dominant side being mostly affected. Chronic and noncontrolling diabetic patients were more commonly affected. Level of Evidence  This is a Level III, analytical, observational study.