Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion
08:22

Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion

Published on: March 20, 2017

Limited joint mobility in childhood diabetes mellitus indicates increased risk for microvascular disease

A L Rosenbloom, J H Silverstein, D C Lezotte

    The New England Journal of Medicine
    |July 23, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Limited joint mobility in diabetic patients, especially those with longer diabetes duration, significantly increases the risk of developing microvascular complications. Early intervention for joint mobility issues may prevent these serious diabetes complications.

    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Rheumatology
    • Diabetology

    Background:

    • Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition associated with numerous complications.
    • Microvascular complications are a significant cause of morbidity in patients with diabetes.
    • Limited joint mobility is a potential, yet understudied, complication in diabetes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the association between limited joint mobility and microvascular complications in patients with diabetes.
    • To determine if limited joint mobility is a predictor of early microvascular complication development.

    Main Methods:

    • Cross-sectional study of 309 patients aged 1-28 years with diabetes.
    • Assessment of joint mobility in small and large joints.
    • Analysis of diabetes duration and presence of microvascular complications.
    • Life-table analysis to estimate risk of complications based on joint mobility.

    Main Results:

    • Limited joint mobility was detected in 30% of patients.
    • Among patients with diabetes duration >4.5 years, 82/169 had joint limitation, with 41 also having microvascular complications.
    • Patients with joint limitation had a significantly higher risk (83% vs 25% after 16 years) of microvascular complications compared to those without.

    Conclusions:

    • Limited joint mobility is a key indicator of increased risk for early microvascular complications in diabetic patients.
    • Identifying patients with limited joint mobility allows for targeted interventions to prevent or delay complications.
    • This finding highlights the importance of assessing joint health in the management of diabetes.

    More Related Videos

    An Assay to Detect Protection of the Retinal Vasculature from Diabetes-Related Death in Mice04:36

    An Assay to Detect Protection of the Retinal Vasculature from Diabetes-Related Death in Mice

    Published on: January 12, 2024

    Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes07:22

    Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes

    Published on: March 7, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

    Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

    Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
    Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:26

    Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

    Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
    Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations01:19

    Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations

    Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...
    Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:24

    Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

    PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
    Complications of Diabetes Mellitus01:22

    Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

    Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...
    Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

    Diabetic Retinopathy

    DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...