Musculoskeletal manifestations among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Patients with DM are prone to develop multiple musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations, which may lead to disability and an impact on patients' quality of life. These manifestations include but not limited to, adhesive capsulitis, shoulder hand syndrome, diabetic hand syndrome, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, Dupuytren's contracture.

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of MSK manifestations in diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia.

The study was carried out in NGHA hospital and PHC in Saudi Arabia.

This is a retrospective study carried out between 2015 and 2019 where all patients with DM type II between the age of 18 and 65 and were diagnosed with MSK manifestations included in the study.

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS) software (Version 23).

A total of 208 patients were found to have MSK manifestations. The average age of patients was 53 years old ranging from (31-63). The mean reading of A1C was 8%. A total of 34.1% were controlled and 65.9% were uncontrolled. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was found in 10%. Adhesive capsulitis in 2.4%. Septic arthritis in 1%. Trigger finger was found in 7.2%. Osteomyelitis was found in 0.5%. Plantar fasciitis was found in 4.8%. Osteoarthritis (OA) was found in 149 subjects (71.3%). Two subjects had ankle OA, one hand OA, nine shoulder OA, one hip arthritis. The rest had knee OA. Rotator cuff tendonitis was found in 1%. No significant correlation between age, A1c and all the MSK manifestations that were mentioned above (P value >0.05).

MSK manifestations are common among diabetic patients. OA was the most frequently seen disorder. Physicians should be aware of the high prevalence and the huge impact on patients when treating patients with type II DM.