Diabetic Hand Complications in Prediabetes: A Controlled Observational Study.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Rheumatology
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Prediabetes, a state of hyperglycemia, is a growing global health concern.
• Early detection of complications in prediabetes is crucial for timely intervention.
• Hand complications and functional deficits are increasingly recognized in metabolic disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess hand function and prevalence of diabetic hand complications in prediabetic individuals.
• To identify factors associated with hand dysfunction in prediabetes.
• To explore early musculoskeletal effects of prediabetes on the hands.

Main Methods:

• A controlled, observational study involving 100 prediabetic patients and 50 controls (aged 18-65).
• Hand function assessed using the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI); grip strength measured with a digital dynamometer.
• Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), limited joint mobility (LJM), trigger finger (TF), and other hand conditions evaluated clinically.

Main Results:

• Prediabetic individuals exhibited significantly impaired hand function (higher DHI scores, P=.025).
• Limited joint mobility (LJM) was more prevalent in the prediabetic group (P=.024).
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), trigger finger (TF), and reduced grip strength were significantly associated with impaired hand function (P=.002, P=.007, P=.003, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Prediabetes is associated with reduced hand function and increased hand complications, notably LJM.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and trigger finger (TF) are strongly linked to hand dysfunction in prediabetes.
• Glycemic markers like HbA1c did not show a direct correlation with hand dysfunction in this cohort.