The Association Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Frozen Shoulder: Expert Insights on Developing a Screening Tool

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Orthopedics
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is linked to musculoskeletal issues like frozen shoulder (FS).
• FS presents with increased prevalence, severity, and recovery time in T2DM patients.
• Pathological mechanisms include chronic inflammation, collagen accumulation, and hyperglycemia-induced changes, impacting daily activities and diabetes self-management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for efficient frozen shoulder screening in T2DM patients.
• To introduce a concise, patient-administered questionnaire for early FS detection.
• To evaluate the potential of a novel screening tool for routine clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Development of a six-question screening tool for frozen shoulder.
• The questionnaire assesses shoulder pain, restricted movement, and sleep disturbances.
• The tool is designed for patient self-administration in routine settings.

Main Results:

• The proposed questionnaire offers a potentially quick and effective method for FS screening.
• It aims to facilitate early identification of frozen shoulder in individuals with T2DM.
• Further real-world validation is required to confirm its clinical utility.

Conclusions:

• A concise, patient-administered questionnaire shows promise for early frozen shoulder screening in T2DM.
• This tool could simplify the detection process compared to existing lengthy assessments.
• Successful validation may enhance patient outcomes and quality of life by enabling timely intervention.